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Comprehensive Medical Assisting > Glossary > Flashcards

Glossary Flashcards

1
Q

process of moving a body part away from the midline

A

abduction

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2
Q

fetuses that did not reach the age of viability

A

abortions

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3
Q

a complication of pregnancy that occurs when the placenta tears away from the uterine wall, resulting in hemorrhage and fetal distress

A

abruptio placentae

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4
Q

mistakenly accepting payment for items that should not be paid as a result of improper coding and billing practices

A

abuse

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5
Q

eye’s ability to adjust it optical powers to maintain a clear image of objects at various distances

A

accommodation

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6
Q

amount of money a patient owes

A

account balance

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7
Q

a free-form note that some computer systems allow in which more detailed information can be entered than can be entered in the description field; may be used, for example, when posting adjustments to an account

A

account note

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8
Q

system of reporting the financial results of a business

A

accounting

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9
Q

amounts of money the physician owes to others for supplies, equipment, and services

A

accounts payable (AP)

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10
Q

money owed to the physician or medical practice

A

accounts receivable (AR)

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11
Q

process by which an institution voluntarily completes an extensive self-study after which an accrediting association visits the school to verify the self-study statements

A

accreditation

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12
Q

accreditation bureau that certifies medical assisting programs; graduates of ______ accredited programs may take the CMA (AAMA) or RMA examination

A

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

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13
Q

special stain used to expose the tuberculosis organism

A

acid-fast stain

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14
Q

common skin condition that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog the skin’s pores; also called simply acne

A

acne vulgaris

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15
Q

occurs when the person is exposed to a live pathogen, develops the disease, and becomes immune as a result of the primary immune response

A

acquired active immunity

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16
Q

series of illnesses that occur as a result of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes the immune system to break down

A

acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

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17
Q

hormonal disorder that results from the overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, most commonly affecting middle-aged adults

A

acromegaly

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18
Q

introduction of immunity by infection or what a vaccine

A

active immunity

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19
Q

paying attention completely to the speaker, concentrating on the verbal message, watching for nonverbal cues, and offering a response

A

active listening

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20
Q

medical files of patients who are currently being seen by the physician that may cover one to five years, depending on office policy

A

active records

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21
Q

process in cells that requires energy to transport materials to, from, and within the cell

A

active transport

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22
Q

when the subject of the sentence performs the action

A

active voice

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23
Q

sharpness

A

acuity

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24
Q

illnesses or injuries that occur suddenly and require treatment but may or may not be life threatening

A

acute conditions

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25
Q

confusion (e.g., inability to follow a conversation, answer questions appropriately, understand important facts) with symptoms lasting less than three months

A

acute confusion

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26
Q

expected pain associated with trauma or surgery that lasts through the recovery of that condition

intense pain, usually lessening over time

A

acute pain

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27
Q

condition that occurs when something, such as a blockage, toxins, or a sudden loss of blood flow, causes a change in the filtering function of the kidneys

A

acute renal failure

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28
Q

condition in which the cortex of the adrenal gland is damaged, decreasing the production of adrenocortical hormones, usually resulting from an autoimmune disorder but also caused by infection, cancer, or hemorrhage into the glands

A

Addison’s disease

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29
Q

a substance added in small amounts, such as a chemical within a test tube

A

additive

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30
Q

in procedure coding, a code added to a primary procedure code to indicate a related procedure

A

add-on code

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31
Q

process of moving a body part toward the midline

A

adduction

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32
Q

pharyngeal tonsils

A

adenoids

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33
Q

scar-like tissue that forms between two membranous structures

A

adhesion

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34
Q

positive or negative change to a patient’s account balance that does not involve the exchange of money or the addition of a charge for services

A

adjustment

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35
Q

laws governing the administration of agency regulations

A

administrative law

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36
Q

transition period between puberty and adulthood

A

adolescence

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37
Q

policies and procedures to ensure the security of electronic protected health information

A

administrative safeguards

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38
Q

endocrine organs that secrete hormones; located on top of each kidney, consisting of the cortex and the medulla

A

adrenal glands

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39
Q

age designation from roughly 20 years of age to death

A

adulthood

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40
Q

notice to patient that payment for a recommended service may be denied by Medicare and that the patient would then be obligated to pay

gives the patient the opportunity to accept or decline the service, knowing they may have to pay for it

A

Advance Beneficiary Notice

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41
Q

ABN

A

Advance Beneficiary Notice

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42
Q

AIDS

A

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

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43
Q

AP

A

Accounts Payable

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44
Q

AR

A

Accounts Receivable

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45
Q

ABHES

A

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

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46
Q

when the patient schedules his or her next appointment before leaving the office

A

advance booking

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47
Q

document that allows patients to request that life-sustaining treatments and nutritional support not be used to prolong their life; includes the durable power of attorney

A

advance directive

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48
Q

negative effects that outweigh the benefit of taking a medication and require the patient to discontinue its use

A

adverse effects

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49
Q

requires oxygen to live

A

aerobic

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50
Q

absence of a fever

A

afebrile

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51
Q

behaviors that are based on feelings and emotions

A

affective

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52
Q

carry impulses from the sensory receptor to the central nervous system

A

afferent nerves

53
Q

ACA

A

Affordable Care Act

54
Q

PPACA

A

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

55
Q

a medium for growing bacterial cultures that contains whole blood

A

agar

56
Q

prejudice against and incorrect assumptions about an individual or individuals because of age

A

ageism

57
Q

clumping together

A

agglutination

58
Q

trying to impose one’s point of view on others

A

aggressive

59
Q

prime mover

A

agonist

60
Q

actions taken to reduce transmission of pathogens transported by airborne droplet nuclei so small they can remain suspended in air and widely dispersed by air currents; this may involve patient isolation and use of mask and gown by health care personnel

A

airborne precautions

61
Q

inherited disorder that is indicated by the absence of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes

A

albinism

62
Q

any substance capable of causing an allergic reaction

A

allergen

63
Q

physician who specialized in treating allergies, asthma, and immune system disorders

A

allergist

64
Q

hypersensitivity to a normally harmless substance

A

allergy

65
Q

the amount insurance companies consider to be an appropriate fee for a given service

A

allowed amount

66
Q

baldness or loss of hair

A

alopecia

67
Q

filing system based on the letters of the alphabet

A

alphabetic filing

68
Q

small air sacs at the end of the bronchioles with a network of capillaries that perform the exchange of gases

A

alveoli

69
Q

progressive, degenerative disease of the brain characterized by loss of memory and other cognitive functions

A

Alzheimer’s disease

70
Q

a disorder in children caused by the eye muscles being weaker in one eye; also called lazy eye

A

amblyopia

71
Q

act of walking

A

ambulation

72
Q

surgery performed on a person who is admitted and discharged from a surgical facility on the same day

A

ambulatory surgery

73
Q

absence of menstrual periods

A

amenorrhea

74
Q

professional association for medical assistants that offers CMA (AAMA) certification and educational opportunities

A

American Association of Medical Assistants

75
Q

AAMA

A

American Association of Medical Assistants

76
Q

ABA

A

American Bankers Association

77
Q

code numbers that identify the bank; found on the right upper corner of a printed check

A

American Bankers Association number

78
Q

AMT

A

American Medical Technologists

79
Q

professional association that provides oversight for the registration and testing of medical technologists, medial assistants, and phlebotomists

A

American Medical Technologists (AMT)

80
Q

ADA

A

Americans with Disabilities Act

81
Q

act ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to structures and options

A

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

82
Q

articulation or joint that permits very slight movement

A

amphiarthrotic joint

83
Q

to make louder

A

amplify

84
Q

small, sealed glass bottles containing a single dose of medication

A

ampules

85
Q

a disease of unknown cause that breaks down the nerves in the nervous system that are responsible for movement

A

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

86
Q

ALS

A

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

87
Q

able to live without oxygen

A

anaerobic

88
Q

severe allergic reaction that causes respiratory distress due to swelling of upper airways

A

anaphylaxis

89
Q

body structure; study of the structure of an organism

A

anatomy

90
Q

service provided by the U.S. Postal Service that permits giving the Postal Service instructions on how to handle mail that is undeliverable, such as forwarding instructions or receipt of a changed address

A

ancillary service endorsements

91
Q

condition in which levels of hemoglobin in the red blood cells are insufficient; caused by decreased healthy red cell production by the bone marrow, increased erythrocyte destruction, or blood loss from heavy menstrual periods or internal bleeding

A

anemia

92
Q

medication that causes the partial or complete loss of sensation

A

anesthesia

93
Q

abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery, related to weakness in the vessel wall

A

aneurysm

94
Q

X-ray visualization of blood vessels after a radiopaque material has been injected into them

A

angiography

95
Q

surgical vessel repair procedure frequently used to reopen a blocked coronary artery

A

angioplasty

96
Q

eating disorder associated with a distorted sense of body image and the persistent quest for thinness, at times to the point of emaciation

A

anorexia nervosa

97
Q

agency that answers phone calls and forwards messages to directed recipients

A

answering service

98
Q

muscle that counteracts, or opposes, the action of another muscle

A

antagonist

99
Q

the inner-elbow area

A

antecubital space

100
Q

deadly infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis

A

anthrax

101
Q

science of size, proportion, weight, and height

A

anthropometry

102
Q

specialized proteins that lock onto and have the ability to neutralize specific antigens

A

antibodies

103
Q

immune response in which B lymphocytes produce antibodies that seek out and destroy foreign antigens; also called humoral immunity

A

antibody-mediated response

104
Q

a chemical that prevents blood from clotting and keeps it in its liquid form

A

anticoagulant

105
Q

foreign substance that invades the body

A

antigen

106
Q

agent used for hand hygiene

A

antiseptic

107
Q

absence of urine

A

anuria

108
Q

largest artery of the body into which blood enters after it leaves the left ventricle

A

aorta

109
Q

heart rate that is counted at the apex of the heart

A

apical

110
Q

absence of breathing for more than 19 seconds

A

apnea

111
Q

oldest system of measurement in which dry weight is measured in grains

A

apothecary system

112
Q

formal submission to an insurance carrier to question a denied claim that includes additional and detailed information beyond that which was submitted with the original claim

A

appeal

113
Q

inflammation of the appendix caused by a blockage of the inside of the appendix (the lumen), which leads to increased pressure, impaired blood flow, and potentially gangrene and rupture

A

appendicitis

114
Q

one of the two divisions of the skeletal system, consisting of the 126 bones, including the shoulder and pelvic girdles, as well as extremities, that are not part of the axial skeleton

A

appendicular skeleton

115
Q

small appendage attached to the cecum, which has no known function in humans

A

appendix

116
Q

software installed in a computer to perform specific tasks such as word processing, creating spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and Internet browsing

form usually completed at the time of the job interview that includes personal information and previous work experience

A

application

117
Q

watery fluid that fills the anterior cavity of the eyeball

A

aqueous humor

118
Q

report that categorizes a company’s accounts receivable (AR) according to the length of time since they have been billed to determine what action, if any, should be taken on a given account; for example, accounts less than 30 days old are considered current; Medicare accounts over 30 days old should be investigated

A

AR aging analysis

119
Q

a hearing or determination of the outcome of a dispute or the settling of a difference between parties by a person or persons selected to direct the parties to an agreement

A

arbitration

120
Q

stored for later retrieval

A

achived

121
Q

therapy that utilizes pleasant smells

A

aromatherapy

122
Q

irregular heartbeat caused by a disturbance of normal electrical activity of the heart; pulse with an irregular rhythym

A

arrhythmia

123
Q

measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood

A

arterial blood gases (ABGs)

124
Q

ABGs

A

arterial blood gases

125
Q

blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the cells

A

arteries

126
Q

a thickening and loss of elasticity of the arteries; also called hardening of the arteries

A

arteriosclerosis

127
Q

inflammation of one or more joints caused by various disease processes

A

arthritis

128
Q

the place where two bones connect, with the positioning of the bones determining they type of movement the joint performs; also called joints

A

articulation

Comprehensive Medical Assisting (2 decks)

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