Medical Assistant Comprehensive Study Guide Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering foundational medical assistant exam topics including clinical terminology, billing and coding, anatomical directions, pharmacology, and EKG placement/interpretation.

Hemostats

A type of forceps used to help stop bleeding by grasping tissues, equipment, and supplies.

ICD-10 Modifier

An addition to a diagnosis code that makes it more specific.

CPT Code Modifier

An addition to a procedural code that adds more information about unusual circumstances.

HCPCS

A procedural coding system used for Medicare, durable medical equipment, and codes not found in the CPT manual.

Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

Subtract $32$ and multiply by $0.5556$ (or $\frac{5}{9}$).

Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion

Multiply by $1.8$ (or $\frac{9}{5}$) and add $32$.

Teaspoon (Tsp) to Milliliters

Contains $5\,\text{mL}$.

Tablespoon (Tbsp) to Milliliters

Contains $15\,\text{mL}$.

Ringworm

Classified as a parasite in the study guide.

Pinworms

Helminths.

Yeast / Candida

Fungus.

Bacteria

Single-cell organisms.

Herpes

A viral infection transmitted as an STD.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Bacterial infections transmitted as STDs.

Trichomoniasis

A parasitic infection transmitted as an STD.

Multicellular Organisms

Fungi and algae.

Hemoglobin A1c

A test measuring average blood sugar over a span of $3\,\text{months}$.

Eye Irrigation Technique

Flushing or cleaning the eye by always starting from the inner canthus to the outer canthus.

Ear Drops Technique (Age $3$ and Younger)

Pull the ear back and down.

Ear Drops Technique ($3$ Years and Up to Adult)

Pull the ear back and up.

Encounter Form

A document with preprinted codes used to accurately fill out the claim form.

CMS-1500

The universal claim form.

UB-04

The hospital claim form.

Copay

A fixed payment amount paid by the patient for a covered service.

Coinsurance

A percentage of medical costs that the patient pays.

OSHA General Duty Clause

A mandate stating that employers have a duty to keep the workplace safe and free of hazards.

The Joint Commission Guidelines

Healthcare guidelines that are optional, unlike mandatory OSHA standards.

HIPAA Provisions

Two main provisions: Portability and Accountability.

EOB (Explanation of Benefits)

A document sent by the insurer that explains what was paid or denied.

AOB (Assignment of Benefits)

An authorization form that allows the healthcare provider to bill the insurance directly.

COB (Coordination of Benefits)

The process of determining which insurance plan is primary, secondary, or tertiary.

NPP (Notice of Privacy Practices)

A document that explains to the patient how their protected health information (PHI) will be used.

Medicare Part A

Medicare coverage for inpatient hospital care.

Medicare Part B

Medicare coverage for outpatient care.

Medicare Part C

Coverage that includes both inpatient and outpatient services, known as Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Part D

Medicare coverage for prescription drugs.

Medicare vs. Medicaid

Medicare is a federal program with no dependents for individuals aged $65$ and above or disabled; Medicaid is state-administered, covers low income, and allows adding dependents.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

An insurance plan where patients must choose a PCP and need a referral to see specialists.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

An insurance plan where patients do not need to choose a PCP and do not need a referral for specialists.

POS (Point of Service)

A hybrid plan between HMO and PPO where patients do not need a referral but must choose a PCP.

CHEDDAR

A medical record format standing for: Chief complaint, History, Examination, Details of problems, Drugs and dosage, Assessment, and Return visit or referral.

Accounts Payable

Accounts and debts that the medical practice needs to pay.

Accounts Receivable

Money owed to the medical practice by patients or insurance companies.

Superior

Closer to the head.

Inferior

Closer to the feet.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body.

Distal

Further away from the trunk of the body.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Superficial

Closer to the skin.

Deep

Closer to the organs.

Retroperitoneal Organs

Organs located behind the abdominal cavity, specifically the kidneys and spleen.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) Organs

Liver, gall bladder, colon, right kidney, and pancreas.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) Organs

Stomach, spleen, colon, left kidney, and pancreas.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) Organs

Appendix, colon, bladder, and ovaries in females.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) Organs

Colon, and ovaries in females.

Cephal/o

Head.

Encephal/o

Brain.

Hepat/o

Liver.

Hem/o

Blood.

Arteri/o

Artery.

Ven/o or Phleb/o

Vein.

Nephr/o and Ren/o

Kidney.

Pneumo- / Pulmono-

Lung.

Cholecyst/o

Gallbladder.

Thorac/o

Chest.

Rhin/o

Nose.

Arthr/o

Joint.

Oste/o

Bone.

-ectomy

Surgical removal; excision.

-otomy

Cutting into; incision.

-ostomy

Cutting into to create a hole or opening.

-centesis

Puncture to remove fluid.

-otripsy

Crushing.

-plasty

Surgical repair.

-rrhaphy

Surgical repair; suturing.

Pyretic

Hot; fever.

Febrile

Fever.

Afebrile

Without fever.

-algia

Pain.

-stenosis

Narrowing.

-sclerosis

Hardening.

Hyper-

Increased; excessive.

Hypo-

Decreased; low.

Macro-

Big; enlarged.

Micro-

Small.

Ante-

In front of.

Post-

Behind.

Anti-

Against.

Dys-

Abnormal.

Eu-

Normal.

Bi-

Two.

Lipid

Fats/cholesterol.

Tension

Pressure.

-pnea

Breathing.

Glyc/o

Sugar.

Antitussive

Cough suppressant.

Expectorant

Cough medicine that loosens mucous.

Decongestant

Loosens mucous congestion.

Antihistamine

Medication for allergies, such as Benadryl and Loratadine (Claritin).