CCMA Exam Preparation: Foundational Knowledge, Basic Science, and Clinical Patient Care

Flashcards covering a comprehensive range of CCMA exam prep topics including healthcare systems, medical terminology, anatomy, clinical procedures, and medical law.

Scope of Practice

The duties and tasks a Medical Assistant (MA) can perform based on their education, training, and certification, which may vary from state to state.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

A healthcare delivery system that often uses a Primary Care Physician as a gatekeeper; all care (except emergencies) must be coordinated by the PCP to be covered.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

A health plan that contracts with preferred providers to offer better benefits and lower costs to members, though nonparticipating providers are still accessible at a higher cost.

PCMH (Patient-Centered Medical Home)

A team-based approach to delivering high-quality, cost-effective primary care that coordinates patient care across the health system.

ACO (Accountable Care Organization)

A group of hospitals and providers who coordinate care to deliver the right care at the right time while avoiding unnecessary services and medical errors for Medicare patients.

Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN)

A waiver of liability given to a Medicare beneficiary to inform them that Medicare may not cover specific items or services.

Co-insurance

A provision in which the policyholder and the insurance company share costs for covered losses in a specified ratio, such as $80/20$.

Deductible

The specific amount of money a patient must pay out of pocket on a yearly or per-incident basis before an insurance carrier begins paying.

Ectomy

A surgical suffix meaning the removal of a body part or tissue.

Stomy

A surgical suffix meaning to create an opening in a body part.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that runs perpendicular to the ground and divides the body into left and right portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that runs parallel to the ground and divides the body into superior (cranial) and inferior (caudal) portions.

Thoracic Cavity

The chest cavity containing the esophagus, trachea, lungs, heart, and aorta.

Axial Skeleton

The division of the skeletal system consisting of the bones of the head and trunk.

Sesamoid Bones

Small and round bones embedded in tendons, such as the patellae, which protect tendons from compressive forces.

Striated Muscle

Muscle fibers arranged in a repetitive fashion giving a striped appearance, specifically heart muscle (cardiac) and skeletal muscle.

Pharmacokinetics

The branch of pharmacology examining how drug concentrations change over time as a function of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Schedule I Drugs

Substances with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD, and marijuana.

Schedule II Drugs

Dangerous substances with a high potential for abuse that may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, such as cocaine, fentanyl, and Ritalin.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A screening tool for weight categories calculated as: $\text{weight in lb} / \text{height in inches} \times 703 = \text{BMI}$.

Erikson's Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust

The psychosocial developmental stage occurring during infancy from birth to $18$ months.

Maslow's Hierarchy: Biological and Physiological Needs

The base level of needs including air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, and sleep.

DABDA

The five stages of grief described by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Morbidity

The measure of sickness or disease within a specific population or area.

Endemic

An illness that is constantly present within a specific community.

Fowler's Position

A bed position where the head and trunk are raised between $40^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, often used for patients with cardiac or breathing issues.

Sim's Position

A prone/lateral position where the patient lies on their side with the upper leg flexed toward the chest; used for enemas and perineal examinations.

Trendelenburg Position

A supine position where the head of the bed is lowered and the foot is raised, used for gynecological or abdominal hernia surgeries.

Ophthalmoscope

A tool used to examine the interior structures of the eye, featuring a light and a magnifying lens.

Needle Gauge

The measurement of a needle's lumen width; the lower the gauge number, the wider the lumen (ranging from $14$ to $31$).

Medical Asepsis

Practices designed to reduce the number of micro-organisms, such as hand hygiene and sanitization.

Surgical Asepsis

The sterile technique used in surgeries to maintain an environment free of microorganisms.

Fecal Occult Test

A laboratory screening used to detect the presence of blood in the stool.

CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)

Federal regulations establishing quality standards for laboratory testing on human specimens for health assessment or diagnosis.

Analytical Communicator

A communication style that prefers working with numbers, facts, and data with little emphasis on feelings.

Malfeasance

An intentional act that is illegal and causes physical or monetary harm to others.

Misfeasance

A lawful act performed in an unlawful, illegal, or injurious manner.

Nonfeasance

The failure to perform a duty or obligation that one is legally responsible to do.

ICD-10-CM

A seven-character, alphanumeric coding system utilized for medical diagnoses.

CPT Codes

A coding system used to document procedures and technical services provided in outpatient settings.