Medical Assistant Exam Review

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

• Crutches are an example of DME because they aid in ambulation.
• Other examples of DME include wheelchairs and walkers.
• Autoclaves are used for sterilization, otoscopes are used to examine the ear, and syringes are used for medication administration, but none of these are DME.

Referral Submissions via Fax

• Prior to submitting a referral to a cardiologist via fax, the medical assistant should prepare a fax cover sheet that includes a disclaimer for all medical documentation.
• Other steps in sending a fax include dialing the receiving fax machine's number, checking the fax machine's connection, and scanning the document.

Preparing a Patient for Physical Examination

• The first step is to verify the patient's identity by asking them to state and spell their full name, and provide their date of birth.
• Compare this information to the patient's medical record.
• After verifying identity, the assistant should conduct an initial patient interview, record vital signs, give the patient a paper gown, and assist them into Fowler's position.
• Fowler's position involves placing the examination table at a 90° angle.

Meaningful Use Guidelines

• The purpose of Meaningful Use guidelines is to ensure Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are used in ways that allow measurement of both quantity and quality of care.
• The U.S. government enacted Meaningful Use to promote the use of EHR systems.

Health Questionnaire: Social History

• The social history part should include personal and lifestyle habits, like tobacco and alcohol use.
• Past medical history covers health problems, surgical history contains surgical procedures, and family history includes family health status.

Kubler-Ross Stages of Grief: Denial

• A patient refusing to accept a terminal illness diagnosis is in the denial stage of grief according to the Kübler-Ross model.
• Other stages include anger (directing anger at self or others), bargaining (attempting to bargain with provider or higher power), and depression (experiencing fear, uncertainty, and sadness).

Venipuncture Needle Angle

• When performing a venipuncture, the medical assistant should insert the needle at a 15° angle.

Pernicious Anemia: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

• Pernicious anemia is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency.
• A vitamin B₁ deficiency results in heart failure and nervous disorders.
• A vitamin B6 deficiency results in cracks around the mouth, a rash, and depression.
• A vitamin B3 deficiency results in digestive issues.

Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Medications

• Prozac is an example of a look-alike/sound-alike medication for Prilosec.
• Promethazine is an antihistamine
• Rosuvastatin is a cholesterol-lowering medication
• Roxicet is an analgesic and is not commonly confused with Prilosec.

Barriers in Health Care: Cultural Differences

• A patient’s inability to trust healthcare workers is an example of cultural differences, which include attitudes, perceptions, behaviors, and expectations patients pick up from family, friends, and ethnic groups.
• Other barriers include language (when conversation participants don't speak the same language), boundaries (physical/psychological barriers that indicate the limit of appropriate vs inappropriate behavior), and cultural competence (healthcare worker's ability to respond to cultural and language needs of patients).

Superbill Requirements

• A superbill must include the patient's name, date of service, provider, services provided, and the diagnosis code to ensure accurate billing.
• An authorization number, return visit date, and security code are not required on a superbill.

12-Lead EKG Patient Instructions

• Instruct the patient to refrain from talking during the procedure because even slight movements can interfere with the EKG tracing.
• The assistant should also inform the patient that the provider will need to review the EKG results first and the patient will be notified of the results later.
• The assistant should inform the patient that they will have to lie flat during the procedure.
• The assistant should inform the patient that they will not feel electrical pulsations or shocks during the procedure.

Durable Power of Attorney

• A durable power of attorney designates a specific person who is authorized to make medical decisions for a patient if the patient is unable to make decisions for themselves.
• Organ donation status describes a patient's wishes regarding organ donation.
• A living will indicates a patient's wishes regarding life-prolonging medical interventions.
• A DNR describes a patient's wishes regarding the medical actions to be taken to restore a heartbeat, as well as life-sustaining treatments.

Patient Manifestations: onset of Syncope

• During a routine venipuncture, if the patient becomes pale and diaphoretic, the medical assistant should identify these manifestations as the onset of syncope and take the necessary precautions in case the patient faints.
• During seizure the patient exhibits involuntary movement.
• During nausea the patient report feeling lightheaded or queasy.
• During shock the patient will appear cold and will have pale, sweaty, or moist skin.

Erroneous Pulse Rate: Movement

• When measuring a patient's pulse, patient movement can alter results in the pulse measurement. If the patient is moving during the pulse measurement, the assistant might receive an erroneous result.
• A patient's blood pressure, weight, and level of hydration will not cause an erroneous result in the pulse measurement

Unidentifiable Liquid on the Floor: Clean-Up Kit

• A clean-up kit is used to safely dispose of unidentified and possibly biohazardous materials in a clinical setting.
• The assistant should follow the necessary steps for clean-up and disposal of the liquid to guarantee asepsis and patient safety.
• Bleach and floor cleaning solution does not meet with the requirements of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for clinical infection control and asepsis
• A surgical towel double bagged in trash bags doesn't either.

Administering Eye Ointment

• Apply a thin ribbon of ointment along the conjunctival sac from the inner canthus to the outer canthus.
• The assistant should instruct the patient to close their eye and roll their eyeball for even distribution of the ointment.
• Eyedrops are applied parallel to and above the eye. Ointment should not be applied from above the eye.

Preparing for EKG: Substances to Remove Sweat/Lotion

• The assistant should wipe the area where the electrodes will be placed with alcohol to remove any sweat or lotion prior to performing an EKG.

Obtaining Vital Signs: Patient Verification

• The assistant should verify the patient's full name and date of birth prior to obtaining the patient's vital signs.

Parenteral Method of Administering Medications

• Subcutaneous administration is a parenteral method of administering medications.
• Oral, rectal, and sublingual administration are nonparenteral methods for medication administration.

Departments Responsible for Coagulation Tests

• The hematology department is responsible for reviewing blood cell counts, morphologic studies, and coagulation tests.
• The chemistry department is responsible for analyzing chemicals found in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine.
• The microbiology department is responsible for studying very small infectious organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast.
• The immunohematology department is responsible for blood typing.

EKG Gain

• The calibration box is 10 mm tall indicating a standard gain of 10 \frac{mm}{mV}.

HIPAA Violations at Check-In

• A check-in sheet requesting the reason for the patient's visit is a violation of patient privacy and therefore violates HIPAA laws.
• Asking for a patient's appointment time, name of the provider, and name does not violate HIPAA law.

OSHA Biomedical Waste Disposal Guidelines

• According to OSHA, collection containers for biomedical waste should be leak proof and strong.
• Biomedical waste containers should not be retained for more than 30 days.
• Health care facilities are required to hire a biomedical waste disposal service.
• Containers should be labeled with the chemical name.

Ingestion of Household Cleaner: Contact Poison Control

• If a medical assistant receives a call from a parent of a child who has ingested a household cleaner, the assistant should contact the local poison control center.
• Tell the parent to remain on the phone to receive more information.
• The assistant should not tell the parent to manually induce vomiting or administer syrup of ipecac unless prescribed by a provider or the poison control center.

OSHA Guidelines for Blood-Soiled Gauze Disposal

• According to OSHA guidelines, a medical assistant should dispose of blood-soiled gauze dressings in a red biohazard bag.
• Sharps containers are reserved for sharp instruments such as needles and lancets
• A clear liner in a trash can indicates that it is used for nonmedical waste.
• Purple medical waste containers are incorrect

Forms for Discussing Medical Claims with Third-Party Payers

• A release of information form is signed by the patient to provide authorization for the practice to discuss confidential account information with a third-party payer.
• A medical records release form is signed by the patient to authorize the release of records to the assigned persons listed on the release.
• An ABN is a form notifying the patient of services that may not meet Medicare's medical necessity requirements.
• Advance directives are written instructions regarding a patient's health care decisions.

Medical Assistant's Scope of Practice

• It is outside of the medical assistant's scope of practice to order additional laboratory tests without a provider's prescription.
• Medical assistants are unlicensed personnel who must work under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider when performing clinical duties.
• Patient instruction about preparation for diagnostic testing is within an assistant's scope of practice as is reinforcing instructions about medications and special diets.

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

• Hospital orders must be entered using CPOE by a provider.
• Medications, diagnostic test orders, and medical laboratory test orders can be entered by the medical assistant into CPOE under the supervision of a provider.

Obtaining Orthostatic Vital Signs

• When obtaining a patient's orthostatic vital signs, wait 1 min after each position change before obtaining the patient's orthostatic vital signs.
• The assistant should wait 5 min to obtain a patient's orthostatic vital signs to establish a baseline resting blood pressure and pulse.
• The position order for obtaining orthostatic vital signs is lying, sitting, then standing.
• Dizziness is not an expected finding and should be reported to the provider.

Chain of Custody for a Urine Specimen

• When collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a drug screening, the medical assistant should send the specimen and completed requisition to the testing laboratory on the same day as the collection to adhere to the chain of custody for this specimen.

Sanitizing Medical Equipment

• Pieces of medical equipment that require only sanitization, but not disinfection or sterilization, include otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, stethoscopes, penlights, and tuning forks.
• Nasal specula require disinfection after use.
• Curettes and suture removal instruments require sterilization after use.

Epstein-Barr Virus

• The Epstein-Barr virus can cause mononucleosis, which is a contagious disease.
• Polio is caused by the poliovirus
• Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the small intestine and stomach that is caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite.
• Fifth disease presents as a mild rash that is caused by parvovirus B19.

Communicating with a Diverse Group

• When communicating with a group of diverse patients, the assistant should use a calm tone of voice.
• The assistant should avoid using generational terms and slang and should make appropriate eye contact with each patient in the group.

Removing Staples from a Wound

• The assistant should gently place the jaw of the staple remover under the staple and carefully tilt the staple remover upward until the staple lifts out.
• Staples should be disposed of in the biohazard sharps container.
• The assistant should avoid placing the jaw of the staple remover on the top of the staple

Aiding Communication With Older Adults With Hearing Loss

• Using hand gestures can assist in the communication process with an older adult patient who has moderate hearing loss.
• Speaking softly will hinder
• Speaking in a lower pitch aids in communication
• Overenunciating words won't aid in communication

Testing Ventilation Function

• A spirometry test measures ventilation function in a normal breath of a patient.
• A pulse oximetry test determines the amount of oxygen in the blood.
• A CT scan evaluates for pulmonary embolus.
• An HRCT scan is used to evaluate pulmonary fibrosis.

Body Temperature at its Lowest

• A patient's body temperature is at its lowest in the morning and increases throughout the day, reaching its highest temperature in the late afternoon.

Tubes for Hematology Tests

• A lavender tube is used for hematology tests.
• A serum-separator tube is used for coagulation tests.
• A red tube is used for serum tests.
• A light green tube is used for plasma determinations in chemistry studies.

Defense Mechanism: Reaction Formation

• Reaction formation is when a patient expresses the opposite of what they actually feel.

UCR: Range of Fees

• UCR (Usual, Customary, and Reasonable) is the range of fees charged by providers with similar training/experience in the same geographical area.
• MCO (Managed Care Organization) is an insurance company.
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is a managed care network.
• ACA (Affordable Care Act) goal is increased affordability, availability, and quality of insurance.

Disease Prevention

• Providing an adolescent patient educational material about tobacco use is an example of disease prevention.
• Instructional videos, screenings, and self-breast exams are health maintenance coaching.

Describing Skin Observations: Papules smaller than 0.5 cm

• Papules are solid elevations that are less than 0.5 cm (0.2 in) in diameter.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes frequent thoughts/obsessions and repeated behaviors, like checking door locks.
• Generalized anxiety disorder is a constant anxious feeling.
• Panic disorder is unexpected feelings of danger being present.
• Autism spectrum disorder appears by age 2 and causes difficulty interacting/communicating with others.

Surgical Site Skin Preparation

• The surgical site should be cleaned with antiseptic to decrease the number of micro-organisms on the skin and reduce the risk of wound contamination.
• Sterilization of the skin is not possible without damage to cells and tissue at the surgical site. Therefore, it is not a part of ski preparation prior to a surgical procedure.
• The surgical site should not be rinsed with warm water. Instead, the site should be rinsed with a 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation.
• Instead, the site should be rinsed with a 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation.
• Scrubbing with a sterile brush is a step in the surgical hand scrub process, not a step in the skin preparation process.

Medication Preparation: Verifying Medication Administration Rights

• When preparing a medication for a patient, the assistant should verify the rights of medication administration.

Collecting Blood: Patient Verification

• To properly collect blood the Date of birth must also be varified.

Obtaining Stool Sample: Information in Teaching

• The assistant should include that the sample must be taken from toilet water.
• Samples must be plated within 72 hour and you must not use a laxative prior to the test.

Testing Errors Using Hemolyzed Specimen

• Using a hemolyzed blood specimen is a potential contamination of a specimen that can result in testing errors or inaccurate results.

Symptoms of Ankle Sprains

• Icing ankle sprains

Legality of Tampering

• Drug and alcohol specimens are collected as evidence and require procedures.

Boosting up Bone Health

• Use vitamin D as supplement

Children vitals

• Heart beat over 120

Who to notify

• Notify supervisor if patient is very mad

Chain reaction

• Site needs to be stored in reservoir

Denied claim

• Lack of not being able to confirm for medical needs

How to hand wear.

• Must washing your hands

Lab values

• Need to check immediate glucose level with 500 mg

Pulm. func should not have authorization

• Ulanayis' should also not need lab testing.

Lab tests with patient

• The patient must speak too the DOCTOR.

Medicine

• Neoplatins slow slow the cancerous growth
• Splints

Check patient.s equipment on the side

• First Don gloves is top for profuse bleeding to the wrist

Talk to patient

• Take about there jobs

Specialist

• To treat the joining the patient will see A,RHEUMATlogics doctors/specialist's

Not telling patients about their tests

• Patient keeps test next to machine to notify for machine. test

Meds

• Telemedicine use computer to see patient

Give patient proper meds.

• No extra meds
  . Take meds with water and don't discontinue/break them.

Appointment

• Make appointment after there appointment
• Observe the site after testing for 10 sconds to protect patient
• When receiving message based on objective factor's decode the message when you meet with them.
• Inform the patient everything
• Bounce of Vein to find out what to do for patient
• Make sure patient stays in shape to do tests.
  Verify name and doB from patient.

Vaccines

• lot number to be recorded from childhood injury

Rapid group of tests

• Strepto B would need to happen to find out what one is.

Start with a chart/information

• To find out past medical history of charts.
  • Check what a hipaa is and what it is
  • Dim light too show the patient what to do
  • Working with people to control the person to feel good.
  • Open flab away from body when working with patients.
  • Do what's called pathology.
  • Must be tested 24-48 hours after.
  • Several allgeries happen at time
    *Eye Contact
  • Going to the margin of paper
  • weight must divided by 2.2
  • render pathogens
  • Identifying patient
  • Make sure person has been careful with patient.
  • Rapid absorption for medicine
  • Make sure you help the patient feel good .
  • Give assistance to patient on the form
  • Show home care for patient
    Same payment, and payment
  • Don't. use other products for the pain
  • Enlargement of cell, use a macro.
  • Nasal needs to be done
  • PowerPlant needs to be done!
    4-Modified with group
  • Update
    *Hospitice should be chosen
    Gown, mask, goggles and Gloves.
  • Veins should be on back
    . towel clamp need, sterilization
  • Follow patient action
    *Medications should go inside of tongue!