Chapter 21: Medical Assistant Skills

Why should adults get frequent measurement assessments?

Osteoporosis

Chest circumference can be measured to determine progression of diseases such as:

COPD

When recording weight in healthcare, use the units:

pounds, ounces, or kilograms

1 kilogram is equivalent to

2.2 pounds

1 inch is equivalent for

2.54 centimeters

When recording height in healthcare, use the units:

Feet, inches, or centimeters

What are the protocols of taking patient weight?

Make sure to have the scale balanced, use the same scale, and weigh at the same time each day.

Prone position:

used to examine the back

Sims’ (left lateral) position:

used for rectal exams, enemas, and rectal temperatures

Knee-chest position:

used to perform a sigmoidoscopic examination

Fowler’s position

helps facilitate breathing

Trendelenburg position:

used for circulatory shock

Vision reading is interpreted through?

A snellen chart

When someone gets 20/20 on their Snellen Chart, it means?

The patient can see 20 millimeters high while standing 20 ft from the chart.

What does OD stand for:

Right eye

What does OS stand for:

Left eye

What does OU stand for?

Both eyes

What is a cervical spatula used for?

Used to perform a pap smear. Fixative is applied to the slide to make the cells stick after the pap smears has been placed on it.

What is a sigmoidoscope used for?

Used to examine the inside of the large intestine

Tape measures are used for:

Measuring circumference of the chest to check for progression of COPD

Hemostats are used for:

To compress blood vessels to stop bleeding.

What does an Electrocardiogram (ECG) do?

Measure and record the electrical conduction pattern in the heart.

Complete ECGs consist of:

twelve leads

Purkinje fibers are:

The final branches of electrical pathway in the heart

Leads on an ECG recorded from the limp electrodes are:

The limb reads and augmented voltage leads

For lead 3, what’s the marking code?

ECG lead 3 marking code is (..)

A part of the Physicians’ Desk Reference is:

Product classification, or category, index (drugs available for conditions)