NCCT Medical Asst. 2016 Ful Pratice Test

The action of ensuring hallways to exam rooms remain free of obstructions demonstrates compliance with the ADA because it promotes accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires that public spaces, including healthcare facilities, be accessible to people with disabilities. By keeping hallways clear, the medical assistant is ensuring that individuals with mobility aids or other disabilities can navigate the space safely and easily. This action aligns with the ADA's goal of equal access and non-discrimination for individuals with disabilities.

Arthrocentesis is a procedure in which synovial fluid is removed from a joint for analysis. It is commonly performed to diagnose conditions such as arthritis or infection. In this case, the patient's complaint of joint pain and swelling suggests the need for analysis of the synovial fluid, making arthrocentesis the appropriate procedure to set up for. Arthroscopy is a different procedure that involves inserting a camera into the joint to visualize and potentially treat any abnormalities. Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure to fuse a joint, and arthrogram is a diagnostic imaging test that involves injecting contrast dye into a joint.

Older adult patients are at a higher risk for medication toxicity due to their declining liver function. The liver is responsible for metabolizing and eliminating drugs from the body. As liver function declines with age, the ability to metabolize medications may be impaired, leading to higher levels of drugs in the bloodstream and an increased risk of toxicity. This can result in adverse effects and complications from medications.

The most cost-efficient mail classification for sending an office newsletter to patients and associates would be "standard." Standard mail is typically the least expensive option for sending bulk mail and is suitable for non-urgent and non-time-sensitive materials like newsletters. It may take longer to reach the recipients compared to priority or express mail, but it offers a more economical solution for regular communication. Certified mail, on the other hand, is used for important documents that require proof of delivery and is not necessary for sending newsletters.

A medical office assistant should consult state and federal guidelines prior to purging and destroying paper medical charts. These guidelines are crucial as they outline the specific regulations and requirements that must be followed to ensure the proper handling and disposal of sensitive medical information. Municipal guidelines may vary from one locality to another, while the American Medical Association (AMA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide general guidelines but may not cover all the specific legal requirements. Therefore, it is essential to refer to state and federal guidelines for accurate and comprehensive instructions.

Wave scheduling provides built-in flexibility to accommodate unforeseen situations, such as patients who require more time with the physician. In wave scheduling, patients are scheduled at the beginning of each hour, and they are seen in the order they arrive. This allows for some buffer time between appointments, which can be utilized to handle any unexpected situations or delays that may arise during the day. This flexibility ensures that patients who require more time can be accommodated without disrupting the entire schedule.

The transfer of information such as patient eligibility, payment remittances, claims, claim status, authorizations, and referrals is addressed under the HIPAA Administrative Simplification and Compliance Act as electronic data interchange. This refers to the electronic exchange of data between different healthcare entities, such as healthcare providers, insurance companies, and clearinghouses. It allows for the efficient and secure transfer of information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations and streamlining administrative processes in the healthcare industry.

Based on the information provided, the child is experiencing vomiting and has a high temperature of 103.3 F. These symptoms may indicate an illness that requires medical attention. Therefore, scheduling a same day work-in appointment would be the most appropriate action for the medical assistant to take. This would allow the child to be evaluated by a healthcare professional and receive appropriate treatment if necessary.

The correct answer is a neurologist seeing a patient on consult. When managing multiple incoming calls, the medical assistant should prioritize urgent matters first. In this case, the neurologist seeing a patient on consult is likely to require immediate attention as it involves patient care. The other calls can be addressed after attending to the urgent consult.

The patient is referred to a neurosurgeon, and the next step is to enter the specialist's NPI number and the number of visits requested into the patient's insurance carrier's website. This process is known as precertification. Precertification is the process of obtaining approval from the insurance company before receiving certain medical services or procedures. It ensures that the services are medically necessary and covered by the patient's insurance plan.

The indicator strip darkens - This indicates that the instrument pack is sterile. Indicator strips are specifically designed to change color when exposed to high temperatures and pressure in an autoclave, indicating that the sterilization process has been successful. The autoclave tape turning black or the completion of a cycle does not necessarily guarantee sterility, while the autoclave door unlocking is unrelated to the sterilization process.

The patient should be placed in the semi Fowlers position for the ECG procedure. This position involves the patient sitting at a 45-degree angle with their knees bent. It is commonly used for patients with dyspnea as it helps to improve breathing by allowing the diaphragm to move more freely. This position also helps to reduce strain on the heart and improve blood flow.

The physician needs to send the mole to the pathology laboratory for further analysis. Formalin is a commonly used fixative in pathology to preserve tissues for examination. Therefore, the sample should be placed in a sterile specimen container with formalin to ensure proper preservation and transportation of the mole for analysis.

To be in compliance with OSHA, a healthcare facility must provide annual employee safety training. This is necessary to ensure that employees are aware of and trained in the proper safety protocols and procedures to prevent workplace injuries and hazards. It is a requirement for healthcare facilities to prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees, and providing regular safety training is a crucial aspect of this commitment.

The correct answer is gown, gloves, and mask. This is because the patient is displaying symptoms of a respiratory illness, including coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. These symptoms indicate that the patient may be contagious and could potentially spread the illness to others. Wearing a gown, gloves, and mask will help protect the medical assistant from coming into contact with the patient's respiratory secretions and reduce the risk of transmission.

Somatic tremor artifact refers to unwanted movement or shaking of the body that can interfere with the accuracy of medical measurements. To prevent this artifact, it is important to make the patient calm and comfortable, as movement is often a cause of somatic tremor. By ensuring that the patient is relaxed and at ease, the likelihood of any involuntary movements that could affect the medical measurements is minimized.

Before ordering or paying for medical office supplies, a purchase order is necessary. A purchase order is a document that is issued by the buyer to the seller, specifying the details of the items to be purchased, quantities, prices, and terms of payment. It serves as a formal agreement between the buyer and seller, ensuring that the correct items are ordered and delivered, and also helps in tracking and managing inventory. Without a purchase order, there is a risk of confusion, incorrect orders, or payment disputes. Therefore, a purchase order is essential in the procurement process for medical office supplies.

The physician has ordered a dose of 91 mg every 8 hours. The available suspension is 125 mg/5 mL. To find out how much medication should be administered, we can set up a proportion: 125 mg/5 mL = 91 mg/x mL. Cross-multiplying, we get 125x = 455. Dividing both sides by 125, we find x = 3.64 mL. Since we need to round to the nearest tenth, the medical assistant should administer 3.6 mL of medication.

The correct answer is to reposition the finger probe. Oxygen saturation readings are obtained by placing a finger probe on the patient's finger, and if the probe is not positioned correctly, it can lead to inaccurate readings. In this case, the reading of 79% may be incorrect due to a faulty probe placement. Therefore, the medical assistant should reposition the finger probe to ensure accurate oxygen saturation measurement.

The correct answer is to leave the instruments in the autoclave with the door cracked to dry. This is because opening the autoclave door allows air to circulate and helps the instruments dry more quickly. Removing the instruments and setting them on the counter or placing them on the Mayo stand for surgery may lead to contamination. Running the cycle again is not necessary and may waste time and resources.

The correct answer is "forcefully breath air out and continue to exhale for at least 6 seconds." This is because Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is a measure of the maximum amount of air a person can exhale forcefully and completely after taking a deep breath. By instructing the patient to forcefully breathe air out and continue to exhale for at least 6 seconds, it ensures that the test accurately measures the patient's maximum exhalation capacity.

Disinfecting an ECG machine and lead wire surfaces with antimicrobial wipes after each patient use is an example of medical asepsis. Medical asepsis refers to practices that aim to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment to prevent the spread of infection. This practice helps maintain a clean and safe environment for patients and healthcare providers.

The assignment of benefits form must be signed by the patient and kept on file, allowing physicians to be paid directly from the insurance carrier. This form authorizes the insurance company to pay the healthcare provider directly for the services rendered to the patient. It ensures that the healthcare provider receives payment for their services without the patient having to be involved in the payment process.

In an alpha-numeric filing system, names are arranged in alphabetical order first, followed by any numeric designations. In this case, "Peter G. Burns Jr." should come first because it is the only name without a numeric designation. "Jonathan A. Mendez I" and "Jonathan A. Mendez II" have numeric designations, while "Peter G. Burns S" does not follow the alphabetical order. Therefore, "Peter G. Burns Jr." is the correct answer.

Files for patients who have died or moved away are typically closed because they are no longer active or in use. Closing a file indicates that it is no longer active and does not require further action or updates. This allows for better organization and management of patient records, as closed files can be stored separately or archived.

Venipuncture should be avoided on an arm with an elbow splint because the splint restricts movement and immobilizes the elbow joint. This can make it difficult to access and properly position the vein for venipuncture. Additionally, there is a risk of causing discomfort or injury to the patient if the splint is not handled carefully during the procedure. Therefore, it is best to choose another arm for venipuncture if the patient has an elbow splint.

Clustering is the method of scheduling where specific appointments or tasks are grouped together based on their similarities or common characteristics. In this case, the physician's office sets aside Monday afternoons specifically for high school sports physicals, indicating that these appointments are being clustered together on a designated day and time. This allows for efficient use of resources and ensures that the necessary equipment and staff are available for these specific appointments.

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Flow charts, progress notes, and narrative notation are all different methods of recording patient information in a medical record. These methods are used to document various aspects of a patient's condition, treatment, and progress. Flow charts are visual representations of information, progress notes are written summaries of patient encounters, and narrative notation is a detailed written account of events. All of these styles contribute to the comprehensive recording of patient information in a medical record.

The patient's encounter form contributes to the efficiency and flow of information in the medical office at check-out by listing codes for services and procedures performed during the visit. This allows for accurate and organized documentation of the medical services provided, which is essential for billing and reimbursement purposes. It also helps in maintaining a record of the patient's medical history and aids in future reference or follow-up visits. By having these codes listed on the encounter form, it streamlines the administrative process and ensures that all necessary information is recorded and communicated effectively.

The correct answer is RL on the soft tissue of the leg. In an ECG, the ground lead is placed on the soft tissue of the leg to provide a reference point for the electrical activity of the heart. This helps in accurately measuring the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. Placing the ground lead on the soft tissue ensures a stable and consistent reference point, allowing for accurate interpretation of the ECG readings.

Based on the given information, the medical assistant measures the head circumference of a 6-month-old male infant and it is 42 cm. To assign a percentile based on a pediatric growth chart, the head circumference measurement is compared to a range of measurements for infants of the same age and sex. In this case, the measurement falls within the 10th percentile, indicating that the infant's head circumference is larger than 10% of infants of the same age and sex.

The chain of infection starts with a reservoir host, which is where the infectious agent lives and multiplies. The infectious agent then exits the reservoir host through a portal of exit, such as respiratory secretions or bodily fluids. The means of transmission refers to how the infectious agent is transferred from the reservoir host to a new host, such as through direct contact or airborne droplets. The infectious agent then enters the new host through a portal of entry, such as through the respiratory system or broken skin. Finally, the new host becomes susceptible to the infection.

The best method the medical assistant could use to clean the nasal speculum, forceps, and hemostat used in the exam is steam sterilization. Steam sterilization is a highly effective method that uses high-pressure steam to kill all microorganisms, including HIV and MRSA. It is a reliable and efficient way to ensure that the instruments are completely sterile and safe to use on other patients. Chemical sterilization, disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol, and disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (1:10) may not be as effective in eliminating all pathogens, especially in the case of HIV and MRSA.

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The correct answer is "as close to the surgery site as possible without touching the site." This is because placing the ECG electrodes as close to the surgery site as possible allows for accurate monitoring of the heart's electrical activity. However, it is important to avoid directly touching the surgery site to prevent any disruption or discomfort for the patient.

The Sims position would be appropriate for sigmoidoscopy. The Sims position involves the patient lying on their left side with the right knee bent towards the chest. This position allows for better visualization and access to the rectum and sigmoid colon during the procedure. The lithotomy position involves the patient lying on their back with their legs elevated and spread apart, which is commonly used for gynecological exams. The Trendelenburg position involves the patient lying flat on their back with the head lower than the feet, which is used in certain surgical procedures. The supine position involves the patient lying flat on their back, which is a common position for medical examinations.

Checking controls on urinalysis dipsticks daily is an example of compliance with Quality Control (QC) guidelines for phlebotomy because it ensures the accuracy and reliability of the test results. Regularly checking the controls helps to identify any issues or inaccuracies in the testing process, allowing for prompt corrective actions to be taken. This is an important aspect of maintaining quality and ensuring that patients receive accurate and reliable test results.

When reading the results of an HCT (Hematocrit), it is important for the medical assistant to read starting at the top of the packed cells. The packed cells refer to the red blood cells that have settled at the bottom of the sample tube after centrifugation. By reading from the top of the packed cells, the medical assistant can accurately measure the volume of red blood cells in relation to the total volume of the sample, which is a crucial parameter in assessing a patient's blood health.

If a tourniquet is left in place on a patient's extremity for longer than 60 seconds, venous stasis may occur. Venous stasis refers to the slowing or stagnation of blood flow in the veins, usually due to a blockage or compression. Leaving a tourniquet on for an extended period can obstruct venous blood flow, leading to pooling of blood in the veins and potentially causing venous stasis. This can result in swelling, pain, and potentially more serious complications such as blood clots or tissue damage.

Antianxiety agents and hypnotics with a low potential for abuse are classified as Schedule IV drugs. These drugs are considered to have a lower risk of abuse and dependence compared to drugs in higher schedules. They are commonly used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. The other options listed, such as controlled narcotics and substances with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, do not fall under Schedule IV drugs.

HHS, which stands for the Department of Health and Human Services, is the government agency that oversees HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This act was passed in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information. HHS is responsible for enforcing HIPAA regulations and ensuring that healthcare providers, health plans, and other covered entities comply with the law. They also provide guidance and support to help organizations understand and implement HIPAA requirements effectively.

The pictured rhythm is an example of a premature ventricular contraction. Premature ventricular contractions occur when an electrical signal in the heart originates from a ventricle instead of the normal pathway. This can cause the ventricles to contract earlier than expected, disrupting the normal rhythm of the heart. It is characterized by a wide and bizarre QRS complex on an ECG, which is evident in the pictured rhythm.

In a 12-lead ECG, V4 is correctly placed in the left midclavicular 5th intercostal space. This is a standard placement for V4, allowing for accurate recording of electrical activity in the heart. Placing V4 in the left midclavicular 4th intercostal space or placing V5 in the left midaxillary 5th intercostal space or left midclavicular 4th intercostal space would result in incorrect lead placement.

The correct answer is the left side of the patient's abdomen beneath the diaphragm. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm. Palpation in this area allows the physician to feel for any enlargement or tenderness of the spleen, which may indicate a problem.

The medical office assistant has the ethical obligation to debate the code. This means that the assistant should question or discuss the coding discrepancy with the physician. It is important for the assistant to address any concerns or discrepancies in order to ensure accurate and ethical coding practices. Simply changing or altering the code without discussion may not be appropriate, as it is essential to have a clear understanding and agreement between the assistant and the physician. Down coding the code may also not be the best approach, as it may result in undercoding and potential financial implications for the patient or the medical office.

When removing a suture from a patient's leg, the medical assistant should use dressing forceps. Dressing forceps are specifically designed to handle sterile dressings and sutures. They have a delicate grip and a smooth surface, which makes them suitable for removing sutures without causing any damage or discomfort to the patient. Tissue forceps are used for grasping and manipulating tissues during surgical procedures, splinter forceps are used for removing splinters, and sponge forceps are used for holding and manipulating surgical sponges. None of these instruments are appropriate for removing sutures.

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In this scenario, the patient has severe burns on his left arm. Placing the upper limb leads symmetrically as close to the original site as possible ensures that the ECG readings are obtained from a comparable location on the unaffected right arm. This allows for accurate comparison and interpretation of the ECG results. Placing the leads substernally at the acromion process or only on the left upper limb may not provide accurate readings or a proper baseline for comparison.

When preparing liquid medications for administration, the medical assistant should place the cap with attached dropper face up and read the volume at the bottom of the meniscus. This is because the meniscus is the curved surface of the liquid in the dropper, and the bottom of the meniscus represents the true volume of the liquid. By reading the volume at the bottom of the meniscus, the medical assistant ensures accurate measurement of the medication.

Atrial flutter is a type of abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and regular atrial contractions. It is typically seen as a sawtooth pattern on an electrocardiogram (ECG) strip. In this question, the rhythm shown in the strip is most likely atrial flutter, as it matches the description given. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by irregular and chaotic atrial contractions, premature atrial complex refers to a single early beat originating from the atria, and atrial tachycardia is a rapid heart rate originating from the atria.

The correct order for drawing the tubes when using the evacuated tube method for venipuncture is blood culture, red top, lavender top. This order is important because the blood culture tube should be drawn first to minimize the risk of contamination from other tubes. The red top tube is then drawn to obtain a serum sample, followed by the lavender top tube which is used for a complete blood count (CBC).

The medical assistant performs daily accounts receivable (AR) procedures in the medical office to identify amounts owed to the physician. This means that the medical assistant is responsible for keeping track of the payments that patients owe to the physician for the medical services provided. By performing these AR procedures, the medical assistant ensures that all outstanding debts are identified and can be followed up on for payment.

In a centrifuged, evacuated red top tube, both serum and blood clot are visible. The serum is the clear, yellowish fluid that separates from the blood cells and clot during the centrifugation process. It contains various proteins, electrolytes, hormones, and waste products. The blood clot is formed by the aggregation of platelets and the activation of the clotting cascade. It appears as a gel-like substance and helps in stopping bleeding and promoting wound healing.

The correct answer is to increase the patient's account balance due by the same amount of the returned check plus the penalty fee. This action ensures that the medical office recovers the funds owed by the patient and also accounts for any additional charges incurred due to the returned check. By increasing the account balance, the medical office can pursue collections and take appropriate actions to recover the payment.

When giving a nebulizer treatment with a bronchodilator, the medical assistant should most closely monitor for persistent tachycardia. Nebulizer treatments with bronchodilators can cause an increase in heart rate, and persistent tachycardia may indicate a more severe reaction or potential complications. Monitoring the patient's heart rate closely is important to ensure their safety and to promptly address any adverse reactions.

The correct answer is Current Procedural Terminology. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is a standardized system used by medical professionals to code procedures and services provided to patients. It provides a uniform language that allows for accurate communication, billing, and reimbursement. In this case, the medical assistant should refer to CPT to find the appropriate code for a laceration repair. The other options, such as the International Classification of Disease, Physician's Desk Reference, and healthcare Common Procedural Coding System, are not specifically designed for coding procedures and services like CPT is.

The artifact shown in the strip is likely caused by electrical interference, which is commonly seen when there is a problem with the grounding of the equipment. Checking the bed plugin at the wall socket or unplugging the bed can help eliminate the interference and improve the quality of the strip. This action ensures that the equipment is properly grounded and reduces the chances of electrical interference causing artifacts.