Deck 11: Communication in the Medical Office

Question 1

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus should be instructed to administer daily injections of insulin in the upper arm, upper back, hip, thigh, or which other site?

A) Hand
B) Chest
C) Abdomen
D) Calf

Answer 1

Abdomen

Question 2

Which of the following structures is located in the inner ear?

A) Cochlea
B) Stapes
C) Pinna
D) Eustachian tube
E) Tympanic membrane

Answer 2

Cochlea

Question 3

Which of the following is the primary reason for documenting patient education efforts in writing?

A) To record time spent with the patient for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding purposes
B) To provide information to the patient's insurance company
C) To avoid duplication of work by the physician
D) To describe recommendations for care and patient compliance

Answer 3

To describe recommendations for care and patient compliance

Question 4

Which of the following is a general anesthesia procedure that requires a patient's consent?

A) Electrocardiography
B) Colonoscopy
C) Stress testing
D) Excision of a mole
E) Radiation therapy

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct spelling of the term that refers to the throat?

A) Pharyns
B) Pharnyx
C) Parnyx
D) Phargnx
E) Pharynx

Question 6

When filing identical names, you should use all of the following, except

A) date of birth.
B) organization and business records.
C) patient identification numbers.
D) some other form of identification.

Question 7

Which of the following lung diseases is also called coal-miner's lung?

A) Histoplasmosis
B) Legionnaire's disease
C) Anthracosis
D) Flail chest
E) Asbestosis

Question 8

Which of the following is a characteristic finding in a patient with hyperglycemia?

A) Diarrhea
B) Double vision
C) Diaphoresis
D) Lack of appetite
E) Thirst

Question 9

Which of the following medical specialists is most likely to use a colposcope?

A) Radiologist
B) Proctologist
C) Gynecologist
D) Gastroenterologist
E) Urologist

Question 10

If a patient calls because of severe chest pain while the physician is out of the office, which of the following actions by the medical assistant is most appropriate?

A) Schedule an urgent appointment for the patient.
B) Keep the patient on the line and call 911.
C) Advise the patient to drive to the nearest emergency department.
D) Ask for the patient's phone number so the physician can call back.
E) Page the physician and relay the patient's information.

Question 11

Original medical records can be released only when requested by which of the following?

A) A court subpoena
B) The patient's employer
C) The patient's insurance company
D) The patient
E) Another physician

Question 12

Which of the following forms is used to verify if an individual is authorized to work in the United States?

A) I-9
B) 941
C) 1099
D) W-2
E) W-4

Question 13

Which of the following diagnostic procedures is used to visually examine the stomach?

A) Colonoscopy
B) Mediastinoscopy
C) Gastroscopy
D) Cystoscopy
E) Choledochoscopy

Question 14

Which of the following is the most appropriate way to account for a debit memo when reconciling a bank statement for a medical practice?

A) Subtract it from the checkbook balance
B) Subtract it from the bank statement balance
C) Add it to the bank statement balance
D) Add it to the checkbook balance

Question 15

Which of the following is not one of the five steps involved in filing?

A) Conditioning
B) Releasing
C) Indexing and coding
D) Subjecting
E) Sorting

Question 16

The scheduling technique of clustering similar procedures is known as which of the following?

A) Categorization
B) Modified wave
C) Triage
D) Open hours
E) Stream

Question 17

The Heimlich maneuver is used for which of the following conditions?

A) Ulcers
B) Dizziness
C) Stroke
D) Choking
E) Vertigo

Question 18

Lead I of the electrocardiogram records the voltage difference between which of the following?

A) Left arm and right arm
B) Left leg and left arm
C) Left leg and right leg
D) Right leg and right arm
E) Right leg and left arm

Question 19

Which of the following results indicates a "panic" value?

A) White blood cell count of 6000/mm³
B) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 15 mm/hr
C) Hemoglobin of 13.9 g/dL
D) Hematocrit of 39%
E) Platelet count of 30,000/mm³

Question 20

Which of the following filing systems aids the medical assistant in reminding patients of their annual physical examinations?

A) Tickler
B) Terminal digit
C) Alphabetic
D) Numeric
E) Geographic

Question 21

Laboratory studies are most likely to show an increased serum level of which of the following enzymes in patients with pancreatic disease?

A) Creatine kinase (CK)
B) Amylase (AMS)
C) Alanine amino-transferase (ALT)
D) Acid phosphatase (ACP)

Question 22

When inserting a urinary catheter, the tube is introduced into which of the following structures?

A) Ureter
B) Urethra
C) Bladder
D) Kidney
E) Renal column

Question 23

Payment for which of the following is least likely to be covered by worker's compensation?

A) Medical treatment
B) Physical therapy
C) Disability income
D) Preventive care
E) Income replacement

Question 24

Which of the following is a term that describes how the body transports drugs from the site of administration to the site of action in the cells and tissue?

A) Metabolism
B) Absorption
C) Distribution
D) Excretion
E) Dissipation

Question 25

Which of the following is the correct spelling of an inflammatory skin disease characterized by papules, scabs, and erythema?

A) Exsema
B) Exzema
C) Ecxema
D) Exema
E) Eczema

Question 26

Which of the following suffixes means "incision"?

A) -tomy
B) -stomy
C) -scopy
D) -ectomy
E) -plasty

Question 27

When entering transactions into a medical computer, which of the following is important so that insurance forms will be sequential?

A) Place of service
B) Physician's tax identification number
C) Authorization of payment to the physician
D) Date of the first symptoms
E) Date of service

Question 28

Which of the following is a language used to create Internet documents?

A) Font
B) HTML
C) URL
D) WWW
E) COM

Question 29

An example of demographic history of the patient is

A) sleeping patterns.
B) drugs consumed on a regular basis.
C) smoking and drinking habits.
D) marital status.
E) diet and nutrition habits.

Question 30

The physician performs a procedure that removes the dead tissue around a wound to expose the healthy tissue. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of this procedure?

A) Suturing
B) Cauterization
C) Debridement
D) Cannulation
E) Approximation

Question 31

According to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88), performing a rapid strep screen is classified in which of the following regulatory categories?

A) Waived
B) Highly complex
C) Moderately complex
D) Provider-performed microscopy

Question 32

The functional unit of the kidney that forms urine is known as the

A) urethra.
B) ureter.
C) bladder.
D) nephron.

Question 33

The physician orders an MRI for a man who is suspected of having a brain tumor. Which of the following is the most important question to ask this patient before scheduling an appointment?

A) "Have you had any recent illnesses?"
B) "Are you allergic to any drugs?"
C) "Do you have any metal implants?"
D) "How many children have you fathered?"
E) "Do you take any prescription medications?"

Question 34

Which of the following terms means "surgical removal of the diseased portion of the lining of an artery"?

A) Embolectomy
B) Arteriectomy
C) Thrombectomy
D) Endarterectomy
E) Atherectomy

Question 35

In which of the following situations is a signed consent form required before disclosing patient information?

A) A medical assistant calls a patient's referring physician with current test results.
B) A physician calls the referral laboratory and asks for his patient's pathology report.
C) The health department calls to verify the treatment of a twenty-three-year-old woman for chlamydia.
D) A 15-year-old girl's mother calls the office and asks for the results of her daughter's Monospot test.
E) A patient's husband calls the office and asks for the results of his wife's amniocentesis.

Question 36

A patient with which of the following conditions should be accompanied when visiting the medical office?

A) Alzheimer's disease
B) Dysphasia
C) Presbycusis
D) Myopia
E) Diabetes mellitus

Question 37

When using the modified-block letter style, the date line, complimentary close, and typewritten signature should start at which of the following locations?

A) Five spaces from the left margin
B) Flush with the left margin
C) Flush with the right margin
D) Near the center of the page

Question 38

What is the name given to mail that the United States Postal Service guarantees to deliver in two to three days for the same rate anywhere in the United States?

A) First-class
B) Priority
C) Express
D) Certified

Question 39

The presence of protein in the urine may signal all of the following diseases or conditions, except

A) cystic fibrosis.
B) fever.
C) hypertension.
D) heart failure.
E) renal disease.

Question 40

The Heimlich maneuver is indicated when a person appears to choking and

A) has shortness of breath.
B) is sweating profusely.
C) cannot speak.
D) is coughing.
E) has no pulse.

Question 41

The "rule of nines" is the accepted formula for calculating the extent of which of the following injuries?

A) Burns
B) Poisonings
C) Lacerations
D) Fractures
E) Head injuries

Question 42

The pulmonary artery carries blood between the heart and the

A) liver.
B) spleen.
C) intestines.
D) brain.
E) lungs.

Question 43

Which of the following is a document provided by a manufacturer describing the chemical breakdown and precautions of products, and is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to be available to employees in a medical office?

A) Material Safety Data Sheet
B) SOAP chart
C) Procedure manual
D) Patient's Bill of Rights
E) OSHA Manual

Question 44

Which of the following are structural features of medical instruments that securely grip slippery tissue?

A) Ratchets
B) Serrations
C) Loops
D) Snares
E) Prongs

Question 45

All of the following are common positions for taking X-rays, except

A) transverse.
B) oblique.
C) lateral.
D) anteroposterior.
E) posteroanterior.

Question 46

Which of the following terms best describes signs and symptoms that come and go?

A) Intermittent
B) Latent
C) Chronic
D) Cardinal
E) Constitutional

Question 47

Which of the following levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs describes an individual who has reached his fullest potential?

A) Psychological
B) Self-actualization
C) Belonging and love
D) Esteem
E) Safety

Question 48

Which of the following prefixes means "before"?

A) Cata-
B) Contra-
C) Ante-
D) Anti-
E) Ana-

Question 49

Which of the following hormones enhances the proliferation of T lymphocytes?

A) Thyroxine
B) Prolactin
C) Oxytocin
D) Vasopressin
E) Thymosin

Question 50

The referral of a patient to a physical therapist is documented in which of the following sections of a problem-oriented medical record (POMR)?

A) Subjective impressions
B) Assessment or diagnosis
C) Objective clinical evidence
D) Plans for further studies, treatment, or management

Question 51

Which of the following is the best description of the female perineum?

A) External area between the vulva and the anus
B) Oval structure in the pelvic cavity that produces sex cells
C) Erectile tissue anterior to the urethra that contains sensory nerves
D) The hollow muscular organ that receives an embryo
E) A mucous membrane that partially covers the entrance to the vagina

Question 52

A patient calls the office and angrily states that he is dissatisfied with his medical care. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial response?

A) Tell him the physician will return his call.
B) Suggest that he calm down and call back later.
C) Apologize and suggest that he change physicians.
D) Ask him to describe the problem.

Question 53

Which of the following diagnostic studies is used to examine a patient's bladder?

A) Tomography
B) Myelography
C) Pyelography
D) Mammography
E) Cystography

Question 54

Which of the following refers to the smallest vessels that collect deoxygenated blood from the cells for transport back to the heart?

A) Veins
B) Venules
C) Arteries
D) Arterioles
E) Capillaries

Question 55

Which of the following is a combining form that means "renal pelvis"?

A) Pariet/o
B) Phag/o
C) Pachy/o
D) Pyel/o
E) Palat/o

Question 56

A general journal is known by all of the following names, except

A) daily log.
B) daysheet.
C) posting.
D) daily journal.
E) charge journal.

Question 57

Which of the following is the name of the virus that causes shingles?

A) Epstein-Barr virus
B) Human papillomavirus
C) Respiratory syncytial virus
D) Cytomegalovirus
E) Herpes zoster virus

Question 58

Which of the following responses is most effective in scheduling a follow-up appointment?

A) "We only schedule follow-up appointments on Wednesday afternoons between 2:00 and 4:00 PM."
B) "We have appointments available on Thursday morning and Friday afternoon; which would you prefer?"
C) "Please call tomorrow and schedule the appointment for next week."
D) "We will send you an appointment reminder card after we schedule the appointment."

Question 59

A prediction about the outcome of a disease is called

A) convalescence.
B) prophylaxis.
C) remission.
D) prognosis.
E) benign.

Question 60

A physician who does not arrange for another qualified physician to care for his patients in his absence may be found guilty of which of the following?

A) Abandonment
B) Negligence
C) Misdemeanor
D) Felony
E) Default

Question 61

Which of the following is a numeric filing system in which consecutive numbers are assigned to medical records, separated into groups of two or three digits, and read from right to left?

A) Straight numeric
B) Alphanumeric
C) Middle digit
D) Terminal digit

Question 62

Which of the following is a proofreader's mark that means "move text to the left"?

A) =
B) /
C) ¶
D) [
E) ^

Question 63

Which of the following part of a prescription contains the names and quantities of the ingredients?

A) Inscription
B) Superscription
C) Subscription
D) Signature

Question 64

The medical assistant calls the endocrinologist to schedule an appointment for a patient who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following appointment times should the medical assistant request?

A) First appointment in the morning
B) Last appointment before lunch
C) Mid-afternoon appointment
D) Last appointment at the end of the day

Question 65

Which of the following is an instrument used to determine the presence of polyps?

A) Stethoscope
B) Dosimeter
C) Audiometer
D) Colonoscope
E) Gonioscope

Question 66

All of the following are examples of open-ended questions, except

A) "Do you have any dizziness?"
B) "What kind of pain are you having?"
C) "What changes have you made to your diet?"
D) "How has your medication improved your symptoms?"

Question 67

Which of the following is an example of an intentional tort?

A) Euthanasia
B) Assault and battery
C) Practicing medicine without a license
D) Overcharging for services rendered

Question 68

Which of the following eye structures is affected in a patient with a cataract?

A) Retina
B) Cornea
C) Macula
D) Iris
E) Lens

Question 69

After keying the inside address of a business letter, which of the following is the most appropriate spacing before keying the salutation?

A) Single
B) Double
C) Triple
D) One and one half

Question 70

A computerized system used by Medicare to prevent overpayment for procedures is known as

A) the Correct Coding Initiative.
B) code linkage.
C) coding for coverage.
D) upcoding.

Question 71

The normal average blood pressure for a newborn is _______.

A) 30/15
B) 40/20
C) 50/25
D) 60/30
E) 70/40

Question 72

Which of the following steps is most appropriate when putting on sterile gloves?

A) Placing the gloved fingers on top of the cuff of the second glove
B) Keeping the gloves close to the package while gloving
C) Applying a glove to the nondominant hand first
D) Unfolding the cuff of the first glove before applying the second glove
E) Holding the hands above the waist and away from the body

Question 73

The length of time to retain patient files is

A) six months.
B) different for each medical office.
C) one year.
D) up to the receptionist.
E) five years.

Question 74

In physician's office laboratories (POL), the degree of federal or state regulation depends on which of the following?

A) Complexity of tests performed
B) Types of materials used
C) Number of tests performed
D) Training of employees
E) Physician's specialty

Question 75

Which of the following terms describes a diagnosis based on a comparison of signs and symptoms of similar diseases?

A) Prognosis
B) Preoperative
C) Differential
D) Tentative
E) Admitting

Question 76

Which of the following types of membranes lines joint capsules?

A) Hyaline
B) Synovial
C) Arachnoid
D) Vitelline
E) Tympanic

Question 77

Which of the following is usually used for sealing envelopes?

A) Heat sealer
B) Glue
C) Damp sponge
D) Staples

Question 78

Lyme disease is an infection caused by which of the following pathogens?

A) Protozoa
B) Virus
C) Yeast
D) Bacteria
E) Fungi

Question 79

Which of the following is the correct spelling of the medical term meaning "fissuring of the lips"?

A) Keilosis
B) Chilosis
C) Chelosis
D) Cheilosis
E) Koilosis

Question 80

The review of financial data to verify accuracy and completeness is known as

A) purchasing.
B) accounting.
C) recording.
D) auditing.
E) refunding.