Foundational Knowledge / Basic Science Flashcards
“Why are medical boards involved with determining the scope of practice for medical assistants?”
These boards oversee the practice of medicine within a state and play a role in setting standards and guidelines.
How do state regulations play such a crucial role in determining the limitations of a medical assistant’s duties in medical facilities?
Medical facilities create their own policies to further define the roles and responsibilities of their medical assistants.
Why might a medical assistant pursue further certification?
Obtaining additional certifications such as CETS and CBCS, will increase the scope of work of an MA and can lead to better job opportunities
What are the advantages of being certified as a medical assistant, even if it not legally required in a state?
Increased initial job placement, higher wages, career advancement opportunities
Why does a patient require admission to a hospital or facility for inpatient care?
Hospitals and facilities provide 24/7 monitoring of vital signs, medication administration, and other aspects of patient care.
Why is it important to make healthcare services as easily accessible as possible, as mobile health units do?
Mobile health units overcome geographical and logistical barriers to healthcare access.
Which of the following visits may be appropriate for a telehealth?
Follow up on medical adjustments, patient education, and review of lab results
Which of the following visits may be appropriate for an in-person visit?
New pain symptoms or a physical examination
Describe MA’s role in patient portals
Enrolling in portal, necessary paperwork completed, enrollment instructions on how to use it effectively, may be responsible for uploading/updating data in the portal
How do value-based plans incentivize healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes?
Reimbursement is tied to performance, encouraging providers to focus on value (quality vs. quantity)
Why do HMOs, PPOs, and POS plans fall under the umbrella of managed care?
It emphasizes proactive healthcare to prevent illnesses and reduce long-term costs by contracts with providers create networks that patients can access
How does an HMO’s contract with a medical center or provider group affect patient access to care?
Patients typically need a referral from their primary care physician to see a specialist and require approval for certain procedures and treatments to control health care cost
Why do PPOs offer more flexibility than HMOs?
Patients can see specialists without needing a referral and have a network of preferred providers, but patients can also see out-of-network providers at a higher cost.
Why are POS plans considered a hybrid of HMO and PPO models
POS plans aim to balance cost control encouraging PCP coordination (HMO-like) with patient choice / in-network utilization (PPO-like)
How does capitation work in practice
Providers receive a fixed monthly payment per enrolled patient, which encourages providers to focus on keeping patients healthy to reduce the need for costly treatments
What is the primary difference between fee-for-service and value-based care
In fee-for-service model - determined by the cost of services provided
value-based models - determined by the value to the patient and their long-term health
When and why a patient benefit from going to urgent care rather than an emergency department?
Urgent care costs less, has a shorter wait time, and is often conveniently located. Most have flexible hours and offer walk-in appointments.
Analgesics
Relieve pain
Acetaminophen
Analgesics -Think “Aches” and “Temp” for temperature. This can help you remember that it reduces aches (pain) and fever.
Hydrocodone
Analgesics - “Hydro” can sound like “high,” which can remind you that it’s a stronger opioid pain reliever.
Codeine
Analgesics - Associate “code” with a strong, controlled substance, as it’s an opioid.
Antacids / anti-ulcer
for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Esomeprazole
Antiacid
Calcium Carbonate
Antiacid
Famotidine
Antiacid
Antibiotics
To treat Bacterial infections
Amoxicillin
antibiotic
Ciprofloxacin
Antibiotic
Sulfamethoxazole
Antiacid
Anticholinergics
Smooth muscle spasms
Ipratropium
Anticholinergics
Dicyclomine
Anticholinergics
hyoscyamine
Anticholinergics
Anticoagulants
Delay blood clotting
Warfarin
Anticoagulants
Apixaban
Anticoagulants
Heparin
Anticoagulants
Anticonvulsants
Prevent or control seizures
Clonazepam
Anticonvulsants
Phenytoin
Anticonvulsants
Gabapentin
Anticonvulsants
Antidepressants
Relieve depression
Doxepin
Antidepressants
Fluoxetine
Antidepressants
Duloxetine
Antidepressants
Selegiline
Antidepressants
Antidiarrheals
Reduce nausea, vomiting
Metoclopramide
Antidiarrheals
Ondansetron
Antidiarrheals
Antifungals
Treat Fungal infections
fluconazole
Antifungals
nystatin
Antifungals
miconazole
Antifungals
Antihistamines
Relieve allergies
Diphenhydramine, Cetirizine, Loratadine
Antihistamines
Antihypertensives
Lower blood pressure
Metroprolol, Lisinopril, Valsartan, clonidine
Antihypertensives
Anti-inflammatories
Reduce inflammation
Ibuprofen, Celecoxib, Naproxen
Anti-inflammatories
AntiLIPemics
Reduce cholesterol
Atorvastatin, Fenofibrate, cholestyramine
Antilipemics
Antimigraine agents
Relieve migraine headaches
tópica mate, Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan
Antimigraine agents
Anti-osteoporosis agents
Improve bone density
Alendronate, Raloxifene, Calcitonin
Anti-osteoporosis agents
Antipsychotics
to treat Psychosis
Quetiapine, Haloperidol, Risperidone
Antipsychotics
AntiPYRetics
Reduce fever (Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin)
Skeletal/muscle relaxants
Reduce or prevent muscle spasms
Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, Carisoprodol
Skeletal/muscle relaxants
Antitussives/expectorants
control cough, promote the elimination of mucus
Dextromethorphan, Codeine, Guaifenesin
Antitussives/expectorants
Antivirals
Viral infections
acyclovir, interferon, oseltamivir
Antivirals
Anxiolytics (anti-anxiety)
Reduce anxiety (clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam)
clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam
Anxiolytics /. treat anxiety disorders
Bronchodilators
Relax airway muscles (albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline)
albuterol, isoproterenol, theophylline
Bronchodilators
Central nervous system stimulants
Reduce hyperactivity
methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine
Central nervous system stimulants
Contraceptives
Prevent pregnancy (medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone)
medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone
Contraceptives
Decongestants
Relieve nasal congestion
pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline
Decongestants
Diuretics
Eliminate excess fluid
furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, bumetanide
Diuretics
Hormone replacements
Stabilize hormone deficiencies (levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen)
levothyroxine, insulin, desmopressin, estrogen
Hormone replacements
Laxatives / stool softeners
Promote bowel movements
(metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone)
Oral hypoglycemic
magnesium hydroxide, bisacodyl, docusate sodium
Laxatives / stool softeners
Oral hypoglycemic
Reduce blood sugar
Sedative-hypnotics
Induce sleep/relaxation
zolpidem, temazepam, eszopiclone
Sedative-hypnotics
Why are Schedule I drugs, like heroin, classified as such?
Schedule I drugs, like heroin, have a high abuse potential and no accepted medical use in the U.S.
Why are Schedule II drugs, like oxycodone, considered dangerous?
Schedule II drugs, like oxycodone, have a high abuse potential and can cause severe psychological and physical dependence
Why are Schedule III drugs, like Tylenol with codeine, classified as such?
Schedule III drugs, like Tylenol with codeine, have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
Why are Schedule IV drugs, like diazepam (Valium), classified as such?
Schedule IV drugs, like diazepam (Valium), have a low potential for abuse and dependence.
Why are Schedule V drugs, like cough syrups with codeine, classified as such?
Schedule V drugs, like cough syrups with codeine, contain limited narcotics and have a low potential for abuse.
Which schedules of medication can include refills on prescriptions
Schedule III, Schedule IV, and Schedule V
Indication
Is the symptoms or reason medication is prescribed
Contraindications
Symptoms or conditions that make a particular treatment or medication inadvisable or even dangerous
How does a side effect differ from an adverse reaction?
An adverse reaction is an unintended, harmful action of a medication, that can be unexpected and cause serious damage
Why does distribution, a pharmacokinetic action, significantly affect medication safety during pregnancy?
During distribution, medications travel throughout the body. Many can cross the placental barrier, potentially harming the fetus.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
Which are the fundamental rights of medication administration?
Right patient, right dose, right route, right medication, right time
