NHA CCMA
Patient's have the responsibility to:
-Ask for pain relief when you pain first starts -Help those caring for you to asses you pain -Tell those caring for you if your pain is not relieved -Tell those caring for you about any worries that you have about taking pain medications -Decide if you want your family and/or significant others to aid in your relief of pain
The 4 Elements of Negligence:
-Duty: duty of care -Derelict: breach of duty of care -Direct cause: legally recognizable injury occurs as a result of the breach of duty of care -Damage: wrongful activity must have caused the injury or harm that occurred
Chemical Hazards - Chemical Safety Regulations
-If skin or eyes come in contact with any chemicals, immediately wash the area with water for at least 5 minutes -Store flammable or volatile chemicals in a well-ventilated area -After use, immediately recap all bottles containing toxic substances -Label all chemicals with the required Material Safety Data Sheet (MDSD)
Common errors in blood pressure measurements:
-Improper Cuff Size -The arm is not at heart level -Cuff is not completely deflated before use -Deflation of the cuff is faster than 2-3mmHG per second -The cuff is re-inflated during the procedure without allowing the arm to rest for 1-2 minutes between reading -Improper cuff placement -Defective Equipment
Patient's have the Right to:
-Information about pain and pain relied -A caring staff who believes in your reports of pain -A care staff with concern about your pain -A quick response when you report your pain
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
-Revision and updating of the exposure control plan -Solicitation of employee input in selecting engineering and work practice controls -Modification of definitions relating to engineering controls -New record keeping requirements
The Medical Assistant's Role In the Physical Examination:
-Room Preparation -Patient Preparation -Assisting the Physician
Sharps Injury Log must contain, at the minimum:
-The type and brand of device involved in the incident -The department or work area where the exposure incident occurred -An explanation of how the incident occured
Physical Hazards - Electrical Safety Regulations:
-Use only ground plugs that have been approved by Underwriters' Laboratory (UL) -Never use extension cords -Avoid electrical circuit overloading -Inspect all cords and plugs periodically for damage -Use a surge protector on all sensitive electronic devices -Before servicing, UNPLUG the device from the electrical outlet -Use signs and/or labels to indicate high voltage or electrical hazard
Oral Temperature is not taken from what patients:
-infants and children less than six years old -patients who has had surgery or facial, neck, nose, or mouth injury -those receiving oxygen -those with nasogastric tubes -patients with convulsive seizure -hemiplegic patients -patients with altered mental status
Rectal Temperature is not taken from what patients:
-patient's with heart disease -patients with rectal disease or disorder or has had rectal surgery -patients with diarrhea
Tympanic Temperature is not taken from what patients:
-patients with an ear disorder or ear drainage
Normal Adult Range of Respiratory Rate
12 to 20 per minute
When taking an oral temperature how long do you leave the thermometer in the patient's mouth?
3-5 minutes
How long after a patient eats, smokes or drinks do you wait to take an oral temperature?
30 minutes
When taking an axillary temperature how long should the thermometer be held in place?
5-10 minutes
What is the normal range for an adult pulse:
60 to 100 beats per minute
Normal Temperature Range for Axillary
96.6F to 98.6F 35.9C to 37.0C
Normal Temperature Range for Oral
97.6F to 99.6F 36.5C to 37.5C
Normal Temperature Range for Tympanic Membrane
98.6 F 37 C
Normal Temperature Range for Rectal
98.6F to 100.6F 37.0C to 38.1C
When taking a Tympanic Temperature:
A covered probe is gently inserted into the ear canal and temperature is measured with seconds (1-3 seconds).
Continuous Fever
A fever that remains constant above the baseline; it does not fluctuate.
Define Hyperpnea
Abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing.
Define Afebrile
Absence of Fever
The _____ _____ is a more accurate measurement of the heart rate and it is taken over the apex of the heart by auscultation using the stethoscope.
Apical Pulse
What age groups use Height, Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and % of body fat - Anthropometric Measurements:
Are the measurements used for adults.
What age groups use Length, Height, Weight, Weight-for-Length, and Head Circumference - Anthropometric Measurements:
Are used to assess growth and development in infants, children, and adolescents.
Thermometers
Are used to measure temperature using the Fahrenheit and Centigrade or Celsius scale.
Bloodborne Pathogen Abbreviation
BBP
Blood Pressure Abbreviation
BP
3 Body Processes Necessary for life are:
Body Temperature, Respiration, Heart Function
Chief Complaint Abbreviation
CC
(Taking a pulse at the radial artery) If the rate is unusually fast or slow then:
Count it for 60 seconds
How is a Respiratory Rate calculated:
Count respirations for 30 seconds then multiplied by two or count for a full minute.
Define Bradypnea
Decrease in numbers of respirations. This occurs during sleep. It may also be due to certain diseases.
Define Fever
Elevated body temperature beyond normal range.
When taking a pulse at the radial artery it is felt with the:
First two or three fingers (never with the thumb) and usually taken for 30 seconds multiplied by two to get the rate per minute.
Remittent Fever
Fluctuating fever that remains elevated; it does not return to baseline temperature.
Intermittent Fever
Fluctuating fever that returns to or below baseline then rises again.
Inspection focuses on certain aspects of the patient:
General Appearance, State of Nutrition, Body Habitus, Symmetry, Posture and Gait
History of Present Illness Abbreviation
HPI
Past Medical History Definition
Includes all health problems, major illnesses, surgeries the patient has had, current medications complete with reasons for taking them, and allergies.
Social History Definition
Includes marital status, occupation, educational attainment, hobbies, use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and lifestyles.
The 4 principles of a physical examinations:
Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
Taking an apical pulse is used for patients with:
Irregular heart rate and for infants and small children.
Define Body Temperature
Is a balance between heart production and heart loss in conjunction with each other, maintained and regulated by the hypothalamus.
Define Tort
Is a wrongful act that results in injury to one person by another.
Rectal Temperature
Is taken when oral temperature is not feasible.
Axillary Temperature
Is the least accurate and is taken only when no other temperature site can be used.
Oral Temperature
Is the most common method of measurement.
Respiratory Rate
Is the number of respirations per minute.
Dorsal Lithotomy Position
Is used for examination of pelvic organs. This position is similar to the dorsal recumbent position, except that the patient's legs are well separated and thighs are acutely flexed. The feet are usually placed in stirrups and a folded sheet or bath blanket is places crosswise over thighs and legs so that genital area is easily exposed.
Horizontal Recumbent Position
Is used for most physical examinations. The patient lies on his/her back with legs extended. Arms may be above the head, alongside the body or folded on the chest.
The Sim's Position
Is used for rectal examination. The patient is on his/her left side with the right knee flexed against the abdomen and the left knee slightly flexed. The left arm is behind the body; the right arm is placed comfortable.
The Knee-Chest Position
Is used for rectal or vaginal examinations and as treatment to bring uterus into a normal position. The patient is on his/her knees with his/her chest resting on the bed and elbows resting on the bed or arms above head. The head is turned to one side.
The Pone Position
Is used to examine the back. The patient lies on his/her abdomen with head turned to one side for comfort, the arms may be above head or alongside the body.
Fowler's Position
Is used to promote drainage or to ease breathing. A sitting or semi-sitting position where the back of the examination table is elevated to either 45 degrees (45 degrees (Semi-Fowler's) or 90 degrees (High-Fowler's).
Tympanic Temperature
Is useful for children and confused patients because of the speed of operation.
Dorsal Recumbent Position
Is when the patient is on his/her back with knees flexed and soles of feet flat on the bed. The MA will need to fold a sheet once across the chest and fold a second sheet crosswise over the thighs and legs so that genital area is easily exposed.
Material Safety Data Sheet Abbreviation
MDSD
Temperature Sites
Mouth, Rectum, Ear (Tympanic Membrane), and the axilla (underarm).
Needle Stick Prevention Act
OSHA has put into force the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Standard when it was concluded that healthcare employees face a serious health risk as a results of occupational exposure to blood and other boy fluids and tissues..
OSHA stands for
Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration
What counts as one respirations:
One inspiration (inhale) and One Expiration (exhale).
Past, Family and Social History Abbreviation
PFSH
Define Febrile
Presence of Fever
Patient Representative
Primary assignment is to assist you in exercising your rights as a patient.
Review of Systems Abbreviation
ROS
Respiratory Characteristics
Rate, Rhythm, and Depth
Define Anthropometric Measurements
Refers to comparative measurements of the body.
Define Respiratory Depth
Refers to the amount of air that is inspired and expired during each respiration.
Define Respiratory Rhythm
Refers to the pattern of breathing. It can vary with age: infants have an irregular rhythm while adults have regular.
OSHA is
Responsible for the identification of the various hazards present in the work place and for the creation of rules and regulations to minimize exposure to such hazards.
Define Hypoventilation
State in which reduced amount of air enters the lungs resulting in decreased oxygen level and increased carbon dioxide level in blood. It can be due to breathing that is too shallow, or too slow, or to diminished lung function.
Define Hyperventilation
State in which there is an increased amount of air entering the lungs.
Family History Definition
Summary of health problems of siblings, parents, and other blood relatives that could alert the physician to hereditary and/or familial disease.
4 Vital Signs of Body Function are:
Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure
BP consist of two components:
The Highest (systole) and lowest (diastole) amount of pressure exerted during the cardiac cycle.
Define Battery
The basis of tort in this case is the unprivileged touching of one person by another. When a procedure is to be performed on a patient, the patient must give consent in full knowledge of the procedure and the risk it entails (informed consent).
Define Palpation
The examiner uses the sense of touch to determine the characteristics of an organ system.
Trendelenburg Position
The patient is placed flat on the back, face up, the knees flexed and legs hanging off the end of the table, with the legs and feet supported by footboard. The table is positioned with the head 45 degrees lower than the body. This position is used primarily for surgical procedures of pelvis and abdomen.
The site most commonly used for taking a pulse is:
The radial artery (found in the wrist on the same side as the thumb).
Chief Complaint Definition
The reason why the patient came to see the physician.
Define Defamation of Character
This consists of injury to another person's reputation, name, or character through spoken (slander) or written (libel) words.
Define Auscultation
This involves listening to sounds produced by internal organs. It is usually done to evaluated the heart, lungs, and the abdomen.
Define Percussion
This involves tapping or striking the body, usually with the fingers or a small hammer to determine the position, size and density of the underlying organ or tissue.
Define Cheyne-Stokes
This is a regular pattern of irregular breathing rate.
Define Tachypnea
This is a respiration rate of greater than 40/min. It is transient in the newborn and maybe caused by the hysteria in the adult.
Define Apnea
This is a temporary complete absence of breathing which may by result of a reduction in the stimuli to the respiratory centers of the brain.
History of Present Illness Definition
This is an explanation of the CC to determine the onset of the illness; associated symptoms; what the patient has done to treat the condition, etc.
Review of Systems Definition
This is an orderly and systematic check of each organ and system of the body by questions. Both positive and pertinent negative findings are documented.
Define Informed Consent
This is consent given by the patient who is made aware of any procedure to be performed, its risks, expected outcomes, and alternative.
Define Orthopnea
This is difficulty or inability to breath unless in an upright position.
Define Negligence
This is the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonable person would give under similar circumstances and someone suffers injury because of another's failure to live up to a required duty of care.
Define Patient Confidentiality
This is the key concept of HIPAA. All patients have a right to privacy and all information should remain privileged.
Define Blood Pressure
This is the measurement of the amount of force exerted by the blood on the peripheral arterial walls and is expressed in millimeters (mm) of mercury (Hg).
Define Invasion of Privacy
This is the release of medical records without the patient's knowledge and permission.
Good Samaritan Law
This law deals with the rendering of first aid by health care professionals at the scene of an accident or sudden injury.
Define Inspection
Which provided an enormous amount of information. The observer uses observation to detect significant physical features or objective data.