COA chapter 20

The ophthalmic medical assistant is at home. A neighbor comes by with a swollen, painful bump on his eyelid and asks what he should do. What is the best course of action for the assistant to take? a) Explain that an ophthalmic medical assistant cannot diagnose conditions or recommend treatments but can help him get an appointment with the doctor. b) Advise him to apply warm compresses and get him an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. c) Advise him to apply warm compresses and make an appointment if the problem doesn't resolve. d) Give him a sample of the medication the assistant had in hand for a family member who had a similar condition and assist him in getting an appointment the next day.

a) Explain that an ophthalmic medical assistant cannot diagnose conditions or recommend treatments but can help him get an appointment with the doctor.

While waiting for the ophthalmologist, an anxious patient asks the ophthalmic medical assistant for the results of a recent test. What should the assistant do? a) Explain that the ophthalmologist will discuss these results with the patient shortly. b) Discuss the results with the patient to reduce the level of anxiety. c) Reassure the patient that all is well and that the condition tested is not serious. d) Politely tell the patient that another patient requires attention and leave the room.

a) Explain that the ophthalmologist will discuss these results with the patient shortly.

What does the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, often referred to as HIPAA regulations, specify? a) the requirements for sharing protected health information with health care professionals and others b) that protected health information can never be shared with anyone who is not a health care professional c) that protected health information can be shared when it is clearly in the patient's best interest d) that health information can never be shared

a) the requirements for sharing protected health information with health care professionals and others

The ophthalmic medical assistant is about to perform an optical coherence tomography (OCT) exam, and the patient asks why the test is being done. What is the assistant's best response? a) Explain that the doctor ordered the test at the patient's last visit. b) Explain the reason the test was ordered and what to expect during the test. c) Tell the patient only the doctor can explain why a test is being done. d) Tell the patient the test must be completed because other patients are waiting and to ask the doctor any questions he may have.

b) Explain the reason the test was ordered and what to expect during the test.

What should the ophthalmic medial assistant do first after escorting a new patient to the examination room? a) Obtain the medical history and chief complaint. b) Introduce herself or himself and explain what she or he will be doing before the patient sees the doctor. c) Review any medical allergies to ensure safety. d) Check the patient's insurance information.

b) Introduce herself or himself and explain what she or he will be doing before the patient sees the doctor.

A daughter who usually accompanies her mother to all exams is unable to attend a follow-up glaucoma visit calls and asks the ophthalmic medical assistant for an update on her mother's condition. What should the ophthalmic medical assistant do? a) Give her a full update and make a note in the mother's record. b) Share information only if a current, signed permission to communicate is available in the medical record. c) Tell her to speak with her mother for updated information. d) Refer the call to the ophthalmologist.

b) Share information only if a current, signed permission to communicate is available in the medical record.

Which option relates to obtaining informed consent for a surgical procedure? a) can be obtained by anyone with proper training who works for the surgeon b) can only be obtained by the surgeon, although others may assist with the process c) is not needed if the patient has had a similar procedure on the other eye d) explains the need for the procedure

b) can only be obtained by the surgeon, although others may assist with the process

An ophthalmologist's office may disclose information about a patient's condition only to which individual seeking the information? a) the patient's spouse b) the person to whom the patient has given written permission c) the patient's employer d) a member of the patient's immediate family

b) the person to whom the patient has given written permission

After the ophthalmic medical assistant performs the initial interview and testing for a new patient, the patient says "Thank you, doctor." How should the assistant respond? a) Ignore the remark. b) Say, "You are welcome." c) Correct the mistake. d) Notify the doctor.

c) Correct the mistake.

The ophthalmic medical assistant overhears a coworker giving medical advice to a friend over the phone during a break at the office. What is the best action for the assistant to take? a) Ignore this, as it occurred during a break and not while the coworker was working. b) Counsel the coworker that this is inappropriate. c) Inform the doctor or office manager. d) Be certain the advice given is correct.

c) Inform the doctor or office manager.

The ophthalmic medical assistant has just completed a visual field examination on a glaucoma suspect patient and believes the test result is normal. The patient asks whether he has glaucoma. How should the assistant respond? a) Reassure the patient that the test is normal, and the doctor will review it with him. b) Explain that the assistant cannot interpret the test for him. c) Tell him that the doctor must interpret the results and will be with him soon to review and explain everything. d) Tell him that the assistant cannot diagnose glaucoma based on a visual field test alone.

c) Tell him that the doctor must interpret the results and will be with him soon to review and explain everything.

An ophthalmic medical assistant accidentally administers too many diagnostic eye drops to a patient's eye. Which action should the assistant take first? a) Apologize to the patient and thoroughly wash the eye with water. b) Explain to the patient that the effects of the drops will be intensified. c) Tell the ophthalmologist, who will then decide how to handle the situation. d) Suggest that the patient remain in the office for a while after the examination.

c) Tell the ophthalmologist, who will then decide how to handle the situation.

Two patients who have similar eye problems have been discussing their eye conditions in the waiting room. During her visit, one of the patients asks the ophthalmic medical assistant for her new friend's phone number so they can continue their discussions. How should the assistant respond? a) Give her the contact information, because the assistant observed their discussion earlier. b) Ignore the question as inappropriate. c) Tell her to wait in the waiting room, as she may be able to talk with the other patient as he or she leaves. d) Explain that personal information cannot be shared without specific written permission.

d) Explain that personal information cannot be shared without specific written permission.