Medical Assistant Practice Test 1

Any order that warrants the slightest concern requires speaking with the physician to clarify the order. Because the order is legal documentation, it must be verified before the physician’s assistant can carry out the order. Do not make a guess or ask a coworker — consult with the physician who wrote the order.

Jean Piaget described the developmental learning stages in terms of cognitive development. Erik Erikson described the various lifestyle stages in terms of this vs. that (such as autonomy vs shame and doubt). Sigmund Freud’s stages were based on sexual development throughout the lifespan (oral, anal, etc.). Miles Erikson is unrelated to theories of development.

Do not threaten the patient with over-the-top action unless absolutely necessary. Most people will become calm and reasonable after a few minutes with all the other strategies.

The clavicle is the only bone found above the pelvis and below the head. The radius is on the arm and typically rests below the pelvis. The femur is in the leg, below the pelvis. Metacarpals are fingers at the end of each arm.

CSF stands for cerebrospinal fluid, an essential component to the central nervous system. It is an abbreviation frequently used in the medical field.

This situation is considered a breach of confidentiality, regardless of whether the person told is a friend or a stranger. There is no guarantee that the friend will not tell someone else.

A carbon copy would be cc, not bcc. Bcc indicates a blind carbon copy. All other items are correct — the opening has a correct introduction with the address and ATTN, and the date is written in the correct format. Letters have very specific formats which must be followed exactly.

Wave scheduling relies on statistical evidence indicating that some patients will be late, and is sometimes modified to be every half hour rather than every hour. Open hours scheduling is a first-come, first-served situation. Time-specified scheduling is when a patient is given a specific time to be seen that is given to no one else. Cluster scheduling involves grouping similar style appointments together.

This is the correct method of obtaining a sterile urine specimen. The patient needs more instructions than just to give a urine sample. Halfway up the cup is enough, and three quarters of the way is not needed. Using toilet paper afterward will not contaminate the sample.

The examination table should be lengthened to accommodate the patient lying down and the foot supports extended. This patient will soon be in lithotomy position for a pelvic exam.

The potassium level is likely to be higher in normal and needs to be closely assessed. In end stage renal disease, the kidneys are not functioning and are therefore unable to regulate the potassium. Dialysis helps, but the patient must still eat a low potassium diet.

PO is an abbreviation that stands for the Latin phrase “per os” or “by mouth.” By injection would be IM, for intramuscular. Skin is usually written out as “transdermally,” and the vaginal route is usually written out fully as well.

Mitosis creates cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cells, while meiosis creates cells with half of the number of chromosomes as the parent cells. The process of digestion is sometimes referred to as the gastrointestinal process. Immunospecificity and memory b cells have to do with immune system function, not cellular replication.

A preferred provider is one who contracts with the insurance carrier to provide care for patients. Managed care organizations help process the claims from the insurance company. Primary care physicians are usually the general practitioners who initially see the patient. Assignment of benefits is up to the insurance company.

SOAP stands for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan. The first part indicates how the patient is feeling or what appears to be the case. The second is precise and accurate factual information about the patient or situation. The third step is the assessment of the patient or situation. The last part is the plan, which includes any follow-up the writer plans to do.

A contusion is, in more simple terms, a bruise. Pain and a black and blue color are common descriptions for bruising. Cuts are known as lacerations. The raised red welts and itching probably indicate an allergic reaction or a rash. The numb area may indicate poor perfusion and should be further assessed, but is not a contusion.

Leukopenia is the term for a low white blood count. Osteopenia refers to a weakness of the bones. Anemia indicates a deficiency of red blood cells. Thrombocytopenia indicates a low platelet value.

This situation could be labeled abandonment in court because the physician and/or staff has not returned the call in a timely manner. If it is necessary to discharge the patient, the action must be performed formally and not by simply ignoring the situation. For the remaining answer choices, assault would be a threat of bodily harm. Invasion of privacy might be a situation of sharing patient information without consent. Fraud is intentionally misrepresenting facts.

The autoclave is the most common way to achieve sterilization because it is timely and easy to do on a small scale. Gas sterilization is usually performed in a large health care facility while cold sterilization is both difficult to confirm and time-consuming. Soap and water may get instruments clean, but they are not sterilized, which is an important difference for procedures.

The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. There is neither an aortic valve, nor a bicuspid valve. The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

Eye contact is an example of nonverbal communication. Verbal communication requires spoken words or sounds. Empathic and therapeutic communication may not be performed through eye contact.

Self-actualization represents the ultimate peace and contentment with oneself. According to Maslow, it can only be achieved when a person feels as though he or she belongs to the community, is loved, feels physically safe, and possesses self-esteem. Therefore, it is the last stage in Maslow’s hierarchy.

IgE is the antibody type that mediates allergic reactions to various allergens. IgG is a general antibody widely present throughout the body. IgM mediates reactions in the initial immune system at birth. IgD is present on the surface of B cells and plays a role in the production of antibodies.

Priority Mail Express from the USPS is delivered 7 days a week and is their fastest domestic service for time-sensitive letters, documents, or merchandise. Includes guaranteed overnight delivery to most locations.

Normal sinus rhythm includes a rate between 60 and 100. Below 60 is considered bradycardia. Over 100 is tachycardia.

Safety is the number one priority. This patient already has a concussion and probably has increased ICP and swelling. Making sure they do not fall out of the chair and injure themselves further is the most important action. Calling 911 when they are safe is a good idea. Putting a blanket over them may impair their airway and is unnecessary. Tongue blades should never be inserted because they compromise the airway.

The hypothalamus controls body temperature through the use of a positive feedback loop, which roughly equates to each response initiating further response and this generating further response. A negative feedback loop is a loop that reduces additional response as it continues. There is no such thing as a neutral feedback loop, and positive feedback is not self-limiting.

The medical assistant should use presentation software to develop the lecture for the patients. This will enable a clean presentation that makes learning easy. A word processed document would be informative but less interactive. Graphics software would lack the ability to provide detailed information. Communication software is not necessary because the medical assistant will be face-to-face with patients.

The term Respondeat Superior literally means “let the master answer.” Because the medical assistant works under the physician’s license, the physician is legally responsible for any negligible actions performed by his or her employees. The other situations do not fall under this legal domain.

It would be most appropriate to inform the physician in charge of the child’s care so that he or she may prescribe a medication to lower the high fever. Telling the child that he or she has a fever is fine, but the number will mean nothing and may only scare the child. Informing the pharmacy or the office manager is not appropriate.

Oranges are an excellent source of potassium, as are bananas, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, and cantaloupe. Seafood is a good source of iodine. Chicken is primarily protein. Bread can contain good amounts of calcium if fortified.

Wheezing is a hallmark characteristic of asthma. While mucus production or cough could be part of a patient with asthma, it is not specific to asthma itself. Eczema is not a sign of asthma; it is a separate skin condition.

Capitation is the process of using the number of members enrolled in a plan to determine the salary of the physician. Basic insurance does not determine the salary of the physician, nor does an HMO (health maintenance organization). Catchment is the geographical area served by a hospital.

Allow patients to bring their canes with them, as this will help them feel where the walls are, doorframes, etc. Do provide detailed instruction, ask if assistance is needed, and let them know when you are entering or exiting the room.

Elderly and pediatric populations are more likely to experience side effects than a patient of an average age. Pediatric populations have less weight and react differently to medications. Elderly patients have decreased renal and liver function and may process drugs at different rates.

Applying pressure is the crucial first step in stopping bleeding. Once the bleeding is stopped, a Band-Aid can be applied. Asking what happened and holding a cold-pack against the wound are secondary.

Iron is crucial in the production of red blood cells because it enables blood cells to bind to oxygen. The other items are also important, but not as specifically as iron for red blood cells.

It is considered good manners to answer the telephone by the third ring to prevent callers from waiting unnecessarily. Each caller must be given the listener’s full attention.

Thymine pairs with adenine. Guanine pairs with cytosine. This pairing can be recalled with the mnemonic, “GCAT PuPy PuPy.” Thiamine is vitamin B1. Adenosine is an antidysrhythmic medication.

The office decides whether interest will be charged on the patient’s bill. It is not the office’s concern what financial relationship the patient has with other offices. Patients will always be seen at an emergency room, regardless of financial status. Offices always bill all patients at the same time each month when they have a monthly billing schedule.

The Kübler-Ross model describes 5 stages of grief. Acceptance is the final stage in the Kübler-Ross model. Neither grief nor fear is a stage. The order of the stages is as follows: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

The abbreviation “q.d.” is no longer recommended as an abbreviation for “every day” by the American Medical Association. It can be easily misread for other abbreviations such as “o.d.” which is “for the eyes.” The other 3 abbreviations are fine. “subQ” means to administer a medication subcutaneously, “q.h.” means every hour, and “stat” means immediately.

Love and security are considered most important for a person to receive during infancy. This lays the groundwork for the rest of a person’s life and is a crucial period.

The office policy and procedures manual is ideally written by staff in a joint effort. In most cases, the manual is a collaborative effort between the physician(s) and the staff.

Insulin is produced in the beta cells of the pancreas and is vital to life. Cryogen is a substance not made in the body that is used to produce very low temperatures. Metformin is a medication for treating diabetes. Bile is a substance produced by the intestines and stored in the gallbladder.

The level of functioning in Alzheimer’s disease is critical to care. A patient in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may still be high-functioning, while someone in the later stages needs greater supervision and assistance for safety. Gait is important, but the patient is more likely to be in danger due to memory and behavioral impairment.

The encounter form would provide a description of services rendered, including any procedures performed. The ledger and receipt forms would contain financial information only. If a patient has declared a primary care physician, consent is inherent in sharing medical information between the primary care physician and a specialist.

It is standard to review a fee schedule once per year to determine if any changes should be made. Any more often than once a year, and the office risks confusing definitions and fee amounts.

The patient’s HbA1C is a three-month average of how well the patient’s blood sugars remain controlled. A normal HbA1C is between 4-6%. The blood sugar will tell us how well the patient is doing today, but is not a long term average. INR assesses coagulation status. How the patient is feeling is important, but diabetes often has no symptoms.

Supra is a prefix denoting a position above the part indicated by the word to which it is joined.