Table of Contents
About the Editor xi
How to Use This Book xiii
Part 1 Basics
Chapter 1 Trends in Medical Assisting 3
Occupational Outlook 3
Medical Assisting Today: Why Credentialing Matters 3
Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs 5
Telehealth 6
Focus on Professionalism 6
Emerging Diseases and Public Health Concerns 8
Chapter 2 Overview of the Exams 13
Professional Credentials 13
What to Expect on the Exams 14
Chapter 3 Test-Taking Skills and Study Strategies 23
General Test Preparation 23
CMA/RMA Exam Strategies 24
On the Day of the Exam 26
Part 2 Diagnostic Test
How to Take the Diagnostic Test 29
Answer Sheet 29
Using Your Diagnostic Test Results in Your Review 30
Diagnostic Test 31
Answers and Explanations 38
Part 3 CMA/RMA Exam Review
Chapter 4 Medical Terminology 45
Use of Medical Terminology 45
Overview of Word Components 45
Word Building 46
Translating a Word for Meaning 47
Common Word Components 47
Specialty Practitioners 54
Pronunciation Tips 55
Use of References 56
Easily Misspelled Words 56
Abbreviations 58
Review Questions 63
Answers and Explanations 65
Chapter 5 Anatomy and Physiology 67
Organizing the Body as a Whole 67
Body Systems 75
Review Questions 107
Answers and Explanations 110
Chapter 6 Nutrition 113
Fats 114
Proteins 114
Carbohydrates 114
Vitamins 115
Minerals 116
Electrolytes 117
Water 117
Fiber 118
Diets 118
Review Questions 120
Answers and Explanations 122
Chapter 7 Psychology 125
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) 125
Jean Piaget (1896-1980) 126
Erik Erikson (1902-1994) 127
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) 128
Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-1987) 128
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) 129
Defense Mechanisms and Communication 130
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 131
Putting Theory into Practice 131
Review Questions 132
Answers and Explanations 134
Chapter 8 Patient Communication 137
Overview of Basic Communication Patterns 137
Therapeutic Communication 138
Communicating with Special-Needs Patients 141
Giving Instructions to Patients 144
Conducting Patient Interviews 147
Telephone Communication 148
Written Communication 150
Patient Portals and Personal Health Records 153
Review Questions 155
Answers and Explanations 156
Chapter 9 Professional and Legal Knowledge 157
Medical Law and Malpractice 157
Contracts 159
Legal Proceedings 160
Medical Records 161
Confidentiality 163
Consent 164
Health Care-Duties and Obligations 164
Employment Safety and Laws 166
Facilities 167
Ethics and Bioethics 168
Review Questions 170
Answers and Explanations 172
Chapter 10 Office Administration 175
Scheduling 175
Records Management 179
Office Policies and Procedures 184
Data Entry 184
Office Equipment 185
Office Documents 187
Mail Processing and Screening 190
Review Questions 193
Answers and Explanations 194
Chapter 11 Financial Management 195
Reimbursement for Medical Care/Third-Party Billing 195
Bookkeeping and Patient Accounting Practices 201
Billing and Claims Processing 202
The Affordable Care Act 208
Payroll 209
Review Questions 210
Answers and Explanations 212
Chapter 12 Patients in the Clinical Setting 215
Principles of Infection Control 215
Patient Preparation 221
Patent History Interview 227
The Physical Exam 228
Review Questions 240
Answers and Explanations 243
Chapter 13 Laboratory Work 247
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments 247
Specimen Collection 248
Microbiology 249
Urinalysis 253
Hematology 257
Radiographic Testing 262
Other Commonly Performed Tests 263
Review Questions 265
Answers and Explanations 269
Chapter 14 Medications 273
Pharmacology 273
Immunizations/Vaccinations 278
Medication Administration 280
Review Questions 285
Answers and Explanations 288
Chapter 15 Minor Surgery 291
Informed Consent 291
Surgical Asepsis 291
Anesthesia 294
Instruments Used for Minor Surgery 294
Special Procedures 298
Care of Instruments 298
Suture Materials and Needles 299
Role of the Medical Assistant 299
Suture Removal 300
Wound Healing and Complications 300
Cast Care 301
Review Questions 303
Answers and Explanations 304
Chapter 16 Emergencies 305
Medical Emergencies 305
Hemorrhage 306
Burns 307
Cerebrovascular Accident 308
Chest Pain 308
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 309
Choking 310
Diabetic Emergencies 310
Fractures 311
Poisoning 312
Seizure 312
Shock 313
Syncope 314
Wounds 314
Review Questions 316
Answers and Explanations 318
Chapter 17 Emergency Preparedness 319
Emergency Care and Office Patients 319
Developing an Office Emergency Plan 320
Pandemics and Bioterrorism 322
Review Questions 323
Answers and Explanations 324
Part 4 Practice Test
How to Take the Practice Test 326
Answer Sheet 327
Your Practice Test Score 328
Practice Test 329
Answers and Explanations 362
Part 5 Resources
Employment Resources 395
Establishing a Permanent Credentials File 395
Preparing an ePortfolio 396
Writing Your Professional Resume 396
Researching the Job Market 397
Case Studies 399
Case Study Answers and Explanations 406
Tear-Out Reference Guide 415