RMA study

-ectomy

Means surgical removal.

Brady-

Refers to slow.

Sagittal

Divides the body into right and left.

Megaly

Means enlargement; 'hepato' refers to liver.

Femur

The thigh bone.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

WBC

Stands for white blood cell.

Kidney

Filters blood and produces urine.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; governs patient privacy.

Autonomy

Patients have the right to make their own decisions.

Informed consent

Does not include personal opinion of the physician.

Negligence

Failure to act prudently.

Beneficence

Acting in the patient’s best interest.

Advance directive

Guides treatment when the patient cannot speak for themselves.

HIPAA

Permits sharing for treatment purposes without consent.

Libel

Written defamation.

Anxiety or resistance

Closed body language.

Active listening

Fully concentrating and responding appropriately.

Regression

Reverting to an earlier developmental stage.

Using silence

Encourages patients to share.

Physiological needs

Base of Maslow’s pyramid.

Best way to communicate with hearing-impaired patients

Face them directly and speak clearly.

Open-ended, therapeutic question

“Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”

Empathy

Understanding and sharing feelings.

Superbill

Summarizes charges and procedures.

Credit balance

Indicates that an overpayment has occurred.

Posting

Entering transactions.

Accounts receivable

Money owed to the office.

Payment plan

Keeps patient in care and allows repayment.

Petty cash

Used for minor office expenses.

Receipt log

Documents all received payments.

Aging reports

Show past due balances of outstanding accounts.

ICD codes

International Classification of Diseases; codes diagnoses.

CPT

Codes for procedures and services.

CPT modifiers

Indicate a change in service.

Verify patient eligibility

First step before submitting a claim.

Medicare

For individuals aged 65 and older and disabled individuals.

Deductible

The amount the patient pays before insurance coverage kicks in.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

Summary of the insurance decision.

Scrubbers

Software tools that check for errors to prevent claim denials.

Demographic info

Date of birth.

Problem-oriented

Organized by patient complaint.

Subjective

What the patient reports.

Indexing

Sorting records for filing.

Record retention

Standard is 7–10 years for adult records.

Tickler file

A reminder system to track future dates or tasks.

Supply usage tracking

Tracks quantity used to prevent overstocking.

Patient charts

Require secure, confidential storage.

Correct grammar and spelling

Ensures professionalism in communication.

Basic memo format

Includes To, From, Date, Subject.

Identify the office and yourself

Professional and helpful communication technique.

Business letter ending

Should include signature and title for formality.

Complaint management

Escalate them to the appropriate staff professionally.

Phone note documentation

Becomes part of the patient record.

Legal and clinical necessity

Documents must be clear.

Encrypted email

Best for privacy concerning communications.

Appointment matrix

Shows unavailable times for scheduling.

Wave scheduling

Multiple patients booked at the top of the hour.

Rescheduling offer

Maintains continuity of care for patients.

Computerized systems in scheduling

Provide speed and flexibility.

Tickler files in scheduling

Manage future follow-ups and upcoming events.

Standard abbreviation for appointment

'Appt'.

Fasting blood draws

Require no food overnight and are usually scheduled early.

Conflict resolution in scheduling

Best managed by reviewing availability and calling patients.

Two identifiers

Ask for name and date of birth.

Intramuscular injections angle

Administered at 90°.

Sphygmomanometer

Device that measures blood pressure.

Asepsis

Absence of pathogens.

Preventing infection spread

Handwashing is the #1 method.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Includes face shield among other protective gear.

Response to syncope

Lower them to the floor and elevate legs.

Thermometer instructions

Use as per manufacturer’s instructions.

CLIA

Ensures quality in clinical laboratory testing.

Cotton swab

Used for collecting throat samples.

Dipstick

Used to check for glucose, ketones, etc.

Centrifuge function

Spin specimens to separate components.

Specimen labeling

Label immediately to prevent mix-ups.

A1C test

Reflects blood glucose control over approximately 3 months.

Biohazard color

Red is the universal color for biohazard materials.

Hematocrit

Measures the percentage of red blood cells.

Response assessment in emergencies

Check for response and call for help first.

Classic heart attack symptoms

Myocardial infarction symptoms.

Adult CPR ratio

30:2; 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths.

First aid for bleeding

Apply direct pressure.

Epinephrine

First-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

Fracture

A broken bone.

Stabilizing injured patients

Stabilize head and neck to prevent further damage.

Signs of shock

Includes rapid pulse and cold, clammy skin.

PRN

Latin for 'pro re nata', meaning as needed.

Intravenous route

Fastest method for drug administration.

Antipyretic

A drug that reduces fever, such as acetaminophen.

Bid

Latin for 'bis in die'; means twice a day.

Generic drug name

Also known as the nonproprietary name.

Contraindication

A reason not to administer a drug.

Subcutaneous route

Common route for administering insulin.

Pharmacology

The study of drugs and their effects.

Pancreas in diabetes

Insulin production or use is impaired.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune condition causing chronic joint inflammation.

Stroke cause

Lack of blood flow to the brain.

Influenza

A virus; unlike other infections listed which are typically bacterial or fungal.