NCCT Review Book

Introduction

Scope of practice for a MA:

  • Working at the front desk for scheduling, registration, and other office tasks.

  • Providing patient care (under the direction of the medical provider).

  • Performing CLIA-waived lab tests (if the clinic and provider have permission to do the tests with a CLIA Certificate of Waiver).

  • Performing phlebotomy, injections, and ECGs.

  • Assisting the medical provider with minor office procedures.

  • Medical billing and coding (including ICD, CPT, HCPCS; insurance and pre-authorizations).

  • Organizing inventory and requisitioning supplies.

Pharmacology and General Medical Knowledge

Apply basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Basic human anatomy: identification of the body’s structures, arrangement, and orientation (where things are)

Physiology: the functions of cells, tissues, organs and organs systems (how

things work)

Body Systems

Cardiovascular System

Structures:

  • heart

  • arteries

  • veins

  • capillaries

Purpose:

  • Provides circulation of blood throughout the

    body to distribute oxygen and nutrients, etc. and

    remove waste products.

Digestive System

Structures:

  • mouth

  • pharynx

  • esophagus

  • stomach

  • small intestine

  • large intestine

  • rectum

Purpose:

  • The intake system for food and liquid, which is

    then broken down into nutrients that the body

    requires to function.

Endocrine System

Structures:

  • hypothalamus

  • pineal gland

  • pituitary gland

  • thyroid gland

  • parathyroid glands

  • thymus

  • adrenal glands

  • pancreas

Purpose:

  • Produces hormones necessary for growth, metabolism, and reproduction

Integumentary System

Structures:

  • epidermis

  • dermis

  • hypodermis

  • associated glands

  • hair

  • fingernails

  • toenails

Purpose:

  • Necessary as a protective barrier for the body. Skin regulates body temperature, cell fluid, synthesizes Vitamin D, and detects stimulation such as touch/pressure, hot, cold, pain

Lymphatic System

Structures:

  • bone marrow

  • spleen

  • thymus

  • lymph nodes

  • lymphatic vessels

Purpose:

  • Regulates the fluid balance in the body. It also facilitates absorption of dietary fats and assists the immune system.

Muscular System

Structures:

  • skeletal muscle tissue

    • blood vessels

    • vascular tissue

    • nerves

  • connective tissue (smooth muscle)

    • epimysium

    • perimysium

    • endomysium

  • cardiac muscle (in the heart and under involuntry control)

    • epicardium

    • myocardium

    • endocardium

Purpose:

  • Includes three main types of muscle: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. The main functions of muscle tissue include: movement, protection, support, heat, blood circulation.

Nervous System

Structures:

  • central nervous system (CNS)

    • brain

    • spinal cord

  • peripheral nervous system (PNS)

    • all other nerves throughout the body

Purpose:

  • use electrical and chemical processes to send messages from the body to the brain; and from the brain to the body. The nervous system functions include: sensory input, integration, and motor output

Female Productive System

Structures:

  • ovaries

  • fallopian tubes

  • uterus

  • cervix

  • vagina

Purpose:

  • produces estrogen and provides a place for the production of offspring through eggs (ova) which are combined with sperm from a male. This is also an area for the nurturing, growth development, and protection of a fetus (baby) until it’s able to survive on its own

Male Productive System

Structures:

  • prostate

  • testes

  • penis

Purpose:

  • produces androgens, testosterone, and sperm. The sperm is transported into the female reproductive system to produce offspring

Respiratory System

Structures:

  • mouth and nose

  • trachea

  • bronchia

  • bronchioles

  • alveoli

  • lungs

  • diaphragm

Purpose:

  • gathers oxygen through inspiration through the airway to the lungs. Oxygen combines with the blood to be distributed throughout the body. Waste is removed through exhalation (gas exchange)

Skeletal System

Structures:

  • bones

  • cartilage

  • ligaments

  • tendons

Purpose:

  • provides a strong framework to support the body. Provides attachment sites for muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Protects the soft organs inside the body.

Urinary System

Structures:

  • kidneys

  • ureters

  • bladder

  • urethra

Purpose:

  • Removes waste from the blood. Regulates blood production and liquid volume which helps regulate blood pressure. Controls electrolyte levels (salts, chemicals). Waste is removed through elimination of urine