Medical Assistant Knowledge Overview

Questions and Answers

Who is the father of medicine?

Hippocrates

What is not considered a duty of an MA?

administering local anesthesia

What is the most effective way to sterilize medical equipment/supplies?

boiling for 20 minutes

What can an MA do in the absence of a physician?

give emergency care (call for ambulance if patient has more serious conditions) Signup and view all the answers

What medications are dangerous/habit forming and require an Rx to obtain them?

narcotics Signup and view all the answers

What should MAs have basic knowledge of?

the laws and ethics of medicine Signup and view all the answers

How should an MA present themselves in the workplace?

be neat & well-groomed, follow good taste in wardrobe when not wearing a uniform Signup and view all the answers

When interacting with a patient, what should an MA NOT do?

discuss a patient's complaint with them or give them a prognosis Signup and view all the answers

How does being neat apply to the administrative field of medicine?

being free of clutter Signup and view all the answers

What are the main patient care duties of an MA?

taking vital signs, administering medications, explaining medical procedures Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment do bacteria grow/flourish in?

hot & damp areas Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the main duties when caring for bed-ridden patients?

offering pillows for support, bed cradle, air rings under buttocks Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the sites of parenteral medication administration?

intravenous, intra-arterial, intraosseous infusion (bone marrow), intramuscular, intradermal Signup and view all the answers

What is called when medication is administered under the skin?

subcutaneous administration Signup and view all the answers

What are analgesics?

medications used to alleviate pain Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an analgesic?

morphine Signup and view all the answers

What are antibiotics?

medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What antibiotics must be refrigerated?

Amoxicillin and Aureomycin Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an antibiotic?

penicillin Signup and view all the answers

What are antifungals?

medications used to treat infections caused by fungus (like ringworm) Signup and view all the answers

What are anesthetics?

medications that cause the reversible loss of sensation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a local anesthetic?

novocaine Signup and view all the answers

What are some administrative duties of an MA?

keeping, filing, and updating patients' medical records, discouraging irrelevant info, scheduling appointments Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary methods of filing in a medical office?

by subject, by date (newest first) Signup and view all the answers

What is an HMO?

a health maintenance organization Signup and view all the answers

How do rectal temperatures differ from oral temperatures?

rectal temperatures are 0.5-1 degree F higher than oral temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What is 'shaking down' in relation to a mercury thermometer?

the method of pushing the mercury back into the bulb from the stem; once the thermometer reads 95 degrees F, it's shaken down enough Signup and view all the answers

What is the systolic BP?

when the heart is contracting Signup and view all the answers

What is the diastolic BP?

when the heart is in relaxation/dilatation/expansion period Signup and view all the answers

What is normal BP of an adult considered to be?

120/80 mm Hg Signup and view all the answers

What is a sphygmomanometer?

a medical device used to measure blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a stethoscope?

used to listen to the sounds of the lungs and heart (chest) Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal respiration rate for adults considered to be?

12-20 breaths per minute Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the factors that affect heart rate?

medication, trauma, illness, temperature, exercise, stress, blood pressure, emotional stress Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that does NOT affect heart rate?

a person's weight Signup and view all the answers

What procedure is done to measure heart problems or heart disease?

an EKG/ECG Signup and view all the answers

What is the main part of the central nervous system?

the spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What is used to determine a person's vision?

a Snellen Chart Signup and view all the answers

What is normal vision considered to be for the average person?

20/20 Signup and view all the answers

What are cataracts?

the clouding of the eye lens Signup and view all the answers

What are petit mal seizures?

a type of seizure that involves brief, sudden lapses in attention (absence) Signup and view all the answers

What test is done to determine immunity to diphtheria?

the Schick Test Signup and view all the answers

What is the most infectious stage of measles?

the coryzal stage Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the symptoms of measles?

cough, fever/chills, runny nose, muscle pain, and/or sensitivity to light Signup and view all the answers

What test is used to determine susceptibility to scarlet fever?

the Dick Test Signup and view all the answers

What is used to drain the sinuses in sinusitis?

argyrol Signup and view all the answers

What is tuberculosis?

a contagious infection of the lung caused by bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Between what ages are the highest incidences of tuberculosis?

between ages 15 and 30 Signup and view all the answers

What is used to examine the lungs to diagnose tuberculosis?

a bronchoscope Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the end of pulmonary circulation?

the aorta pumps oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle out into the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of blood vessels?

transport blood throughout the body Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 types of blood vessels?

arteries, capillaries, veins Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the lungs?

the organs where the exchanges of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and blood take place Signup and view all the answers

What is atherosclerosis?

a disorder of the arteries characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits (cholesterol) Signup and view all the answers

What is edema?

a condition of swelling which is caused by too much fluid in body tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is a treatment method for hemorrhage?

cold applications to reduce blood flow Signup and view all the answers

What are tendons?

fibrous connective tissue bands Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main muscles of the forearm?

biceps brachii, triceps brachii Signup and view all the answers

What are the muscles of the thorax?

trapezius, latissimus dorsi Signup and view all the answers

What is diathermy?

therapeutic generation of heat in body tissue Signup and view all the answers

What are pelvimeters used for in prenatal care?

used by doctors to determine a female's pelvis in relation to the birth of the baby Signup and view all the answers

Why is post-partum care necessary?

because after giving birth, women experience physical and emotional changes Signup and view all the answers

What is the test called that is used to determine syphilis?

the Wassermann Test Signup and view all the answers

What organs are within the alimentary canal?

mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, anus Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the liver?

produce bile Signup and view all the answers

What vegetable is Vitamin K found in?

spinach Signup and view all the answers

What is dyspepsia?

a condition in which indigestion occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is a treatment for gallstones?

grapefruit juice (gallbladder flushing) Signup and view all the answers

What is urinary incontinence?

the accidental leakage of urine Signup and view all the answers

What is allergology?

the study of hypersensitivity and allergies Signup and view all the answers

What is aviation medicine?

aka aerospace medicine Signup and view all the answers

What is gastroenterology?

field of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract Signup and view all the answers

What is geriatrics?

the medical field that deals with the health care of older adults Signup and view all the answers

What is gynecology?

specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of conditions related to females Signup and view all the answers

What is hematology?

the study of blood Signup and view all the answers

What is internal medicine?

the medical field that specializes in adult diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is pathology?

study and diagnosis of disease Signup and view all the answers

What is psychology?

the medical field which understands psychological-based stress or dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What is therapeutic radiology?

used to treat tumors and cancers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Assistant Knowledge Overview

Hippocrates is recognized as the father of medicine.
Medical assistants (MAs) are not permitted to administer local anesthesia.
Boiling medical equipment/supplies for 20 minutes is the most effective sterilization method.
In emergency situations without a physician, MAs can provide care and call for an ambulance if needed.
Narcotics are habit-forming medications that require a prescription.

Professionalism and Ethics

MAs should have a fundamental understanding of medical laws and ethics.
Presenting a neat and well-groomed appearance is essential in the workplace; a tasteful wardrobe is important if not in uniform.
MAs should avoid discussing patient complaints or prognoses, as this may differ from the physician's views.

Patient Care Responsibilities

Main duties include taking vital signs, administering medications, and explaining medical procedures.
For bed-ridden patients, support is offered through pillows, bed cradles, and air rings.

Medication Administration

Common routes for parenteral medication include intravenous, intra-arterial, intraosseous, intramuscular, and intradermal.
Subcutaneous administration is the term for delivering medication under the skin.
Analgesics are pain-relief medications, with morphine as a common example.
Antibiotics, for bacterial infections, include amoxicillin (requiring refrigeration) and penicillin.

Medical Procedures and Tools

Anesthetic medications induce reversible loss of sensation, with novocaine as a local example.
Administrative tasks of MAs involve maintaining patient records, ensuring the provision of relevant information only, and scheduling appointments.
Common filing methods in medical offices include by subject and by date.

Health Organizations and Practices

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) involve patients paying fixed or periodic fees for medical care from affiliated providers.
Rectal temperatures are typically higher than oral temperatures by 0.5-1 degree F.

Blood Pressure Insights

Systolic pressure occurs during heart contraction, while diastolic pressure occurs during relaxation.
Normal adult blood pressure is considered 120/80 mm Hg.
A sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure, while a stethoscope aids in listening to heart and lung sounds.

Physiological Measurements

Normal adult respiration rates range from 12-20 breaths per minute.
Heart rate can be influenced by various factors, excluding a person's weight.
An EKG/ECG is used to assess heart problems.

Central Nervous System

The spinal cord serves as the main part of the central nervous system.
Vision is evaluated using a Snellen Chart, with normal vision being 20/20.

Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics

Cataracts result in clouding of the eye lens.
Petit mal seizures are characterized by brief lapses in attention.
The Schick test determines immunity to diphtheria, while the Coryzal stage is the most infectious for measles.

Organs and Systems

The alimentary canal includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus, with the liver primarily producing bile.
Atherosclerosis is defined as arterial fatty deposit buildup, leading to cardiovascular issues.
Edema refers to swelling from excess fluid in body tissues.

Specialized Medical Fields

Allergology studies hypersensitivity and allergies.
Gastroenterology focuses on digestive tract conditions, while geriatrics addresses healthcare for older adults.
Gynecology specializes in female reproductive health, hematology studies blood disorders, and internal medicine covers adult disease management.

Additional Medical Terms

Pathology includes disease study and diagnosis.
Psychology is focused on understanding and alleviating psychological stress.
Therapeutic radiology treats tumors and cancers.

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Description

This quiz covers key aspects of medical assistant knowledge, including the historical context, ethics, professionalism, and essential patient care responsibilities. It assesses understanding of important laws, patient interaction, and sterilization methods. Ideal for students pursuing a career in medical assisting.