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Clinical Medical Assistant Essentials
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Clinical Medical Assistant Essentials
Clinical Medical Assistant Essentials
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1
Question
What is the primary role of a clinical medical assistant?
Answer
Perform routine tasks within their scope of practice.
2
Question
Which tasks are included in a clinical medical assistant's duties?
Answer
Taking histories, recording vital signs, explaining treatment, assisting physicians, collecting specimens.
3
Question
What are the parts of a patient's medical history?
Answer
Chief complaint, HPI, PFSH, Review of Systems.
4
Question
Define chief complaint (CC).
Answer
Reason why the patient came to see the physician.
5
Question
What is the purpose of the History of Present Illness (HPI)?
Answer
Explain the chief complaint to determine illness onset, symptoms, treatments.
6
Question
What components are included in the Past, Family, and Social History?
Answer
Past health problems, family health issues, social habits and lifestyle.
7
Question
What does the Review of Systems (ROS) involve?
Answer
Systematic check of each organ/body system by questions.
8
Question
What body functions do vital signs reflect?
Answer
Heat regulation, respiration, heart activity.
9
Question
List the four vital signs.
Answer
Temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure.
10
Question
What regulates body temperature?
Answer
Hypothalamus.
11
Question
Name common sites for measuring body temperature.
Answer
Mouth, rectum, ear, axilla.
12
Question
What are the normal rectal temperature ranges?
Answer
98.6F to 100.6F (37.0C to 38.1C).
13
Question
Why wait 30 minutes before taking oral temperature after eating or smoking?
Answer
To avoid inaccurate readings.
14
Question
How is rectal temperature taken?
Answer
Patient on side, thermometer inserted carefully, patient held still.
15
Question
Why is axillary temperature less accurate?
Answer
Less blood flow and cooling effect of clothing.
16
Question
When is tympanic temperature especially useful?
Answer
Children and confused patients; provides quick readings.
17
Question
What is the normal adult pulse rate?
Answer
60 to 100 beats per minute.
18
Question
Where is the most common site for measuring pulse?
Answer
Radial artery in the wrist.
19
Question
What is a more accurate measurement of heart rate?
Answer
Apical pulse via auscultation.
20
Question
What is tachypnea?
Answer
Respiration rate over 40 per minute.
21
Question
What are normal adult respiration rates?
Answer
12 to 20 per minute.
22
Question
Identify an abnormal respiration rhythm: Cheyne-Stokes.
Answer
Irregular breathing pattern with periods of apnea.
23
Question
What does orthopnea refer to?
Answer
Difficulty breathing unless upright.
24
Question
What is hypoventilation?
Answer
Reduced air entering lungs, decreased oxygen, increased CO2.
25
Question
What does hyperventilation cause?
Answer
Excessive air entering lungs, decreased CO2.
26
Question
What are the components of blood pressure?
Answer
Systolic and diastolic pressure.
27
Question
What equipment is used to measure blood pressure?
Answer
Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope.
28
Question
What cuff size is appropriate for accurate blood pressure reading?
Answer
Width about 40% of limb circumference; length about 80%.
29
Question
Where should the cuff be placed for BP measurement?
Answer
Centered over brachial artery, about 2.5cm above antecubital crease.
30
Question
Describe the process to determine systolic pressure.
Answer
Palpate brachial, inflate cuff 30 mm Hg above, release slowly, note first sound.