Mixed Deck — All NHA Topics Flashcards

Which type of urine specimen is required for a culture and sensitivity test?

Answer: Clean-catch midstream specimen

A clean-catch midstream specimen is necessary to minimize contamination from external bacteria. This ensures that any microorganisms grown in the culture are from the patient's urinary tract, leading to an accurate diagnosis.

A pharmacy technician compounds a non-sterile aqueous oral suspension. What term is used for the date after which this preparation should not be used?

Answer: Beyond-Use Date (BUD)

A Beyond-Use Date (BUD) is assigned to compounded preparations and is determined by stability guidelines, such as those from USP. An expiration date is set by the manufacturer for a commercial drug product in its original, sealed container.

When performing a routine venipuncture, which vein is typically the first choice for the phlebotomist?

Answer: Median cubital vein

The median cubital vein, located in the antecubital fossa, is the most common site for venipuncture. It is typically large, well-anchored, and less prone to rolling, making it the easiest and safest to access.

What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) require employers to provide to at-risk healthcare workers?

Answer: Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost, along with PPE and annual training

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard mandates that employers offer hepatitis B vaccination free of charge, provide appropriate PPE at no cost, and conduct annual bloodborne pathogen training for all at-risk employees.

Which of the following is an example of an indirect contact transmission via a fomite?

Answer: Touching a contaminated blood pressure cuff and then touching your face

A fomite is an inanimate object (such as a blood pressure cuff) that can carry and transfer infectious agents, making touching it and then one's face an example of indirect contact transmission.

What is the mechanism by which an autoclave sterilizes medical equipment?

Answer: Pressurized steam at high temperature (typically 121°C)

An autoclave sterilizes by exposing items to saturated steam under pressure (typically 121°C at 15 psi for 15–30 minutes), which denatures proteins and destroys all forms of microbial life including spores.

What is the most critical step in ensuring the accuracy of a laboratory result?

Answer: Properly labeling the specimen

Properly identifying the patient and correctly labeling the specimen at the time of collection is the most critical step. A mislabeled or unlabeled specimen can lead to a catastrophic error in diagnosis and treatment.

An office schedules three patients to arrive at the top of the hour and then sees them based on their arrival time. This is known as:

Answer: Wave scheduling

Wave scheduling involves scheduling several patients for the same time slot, usually at the beginning of the hour. Patients are then seen on a first-come, first-served basis, which helps accommodate no-shows and late arrivals.

Which of the following best describes 'medical asepsis' in healthcare practice?

Answer: Practices that reduce the number and spread of pathogens to prevent infection

Medical asepsis (clean technique) refers to practices such as hand hygiene, proper waste disposal, and environmental cleaning that reduce pathogen numbers and prevent their spread, as opposed to surgical asepsis which aims for complete elimination.

In the ICD-10-CM code M19.011, what does the 'M' represent?

Answer: The chapter of the disease classification

In ICD-10-CM, the first character is always an alphabet letter that represents the chapter or category of the disease or condition. The letter 'M' corresponds to the chapter for 'Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue'.

Which color-coded waste bag is used for infectious/biohazardous waste in U.S. healthcare facilities?

Answer: Red or orange

Red or orange bags labeled with the biohazard symbol are used for infectious/regulated medical waste such as blood-soaked materials, cultures, and pathological specimens.

What is the purpose of adding a modifier, such as -50, to a CPT code?

Answer: To specify that a procedure was performed on both sides of the body

CPT modifiers provide additional information about a service without changing the definition of the code itself. The -50 modifier specifically indicates that a procedure was performed bilaterally, meaning on both sides of the body.

The compounding process of grinding a tablet into a fine powder in a mortar and pestle is known as:

Answer: Trituration

Trituration is the process of reducing the particle size of a substance by grinding it, which is commonly done with a mortar and pestle. Levigation is similar but involves adding a small amount of liquid to form a paste.

A physician performs a physical examination. Which code set would be used to bill for this service?

Answer: CPT

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services performed by healthcare providers. A physical examination is a service and would be reported using a CPT code from the Evaluation and Management (E/M) section.

What is the immediate first-aid action after a healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient?

Answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, then report immediately

The immediate response to a needlestick is to wash the wound with soap and water (do not squeeze or apply caustic agents), followed by immediate reporting and post-exposure evaluation per facility protocol.

Which of the following is typically the first step in the healthcare revenue cycle?

Answer: Patient pre-registration

The revenue cycle begins before the patient even sees a provider. Pre-registration involves collecting the patient's demographic and insurance information to verify eligibility and benefits, which is the foundational first step.

Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the established order of draw?

Answer: To prevent cross-contamination of additives

The order of draw was established by CLSI to prevent the contamination of non-additive or later-draw tubes by additives from previous tubes. For example, EDTA from a lavender tube can contaminate a green tube and falsely decrease calcium levels.

What should a healthcare provider do if the EKG shows an irregular rhythm?

Answer: Document the finding and consult with a physician for further evaluation

If an EKG shows an irregular rhythm, a healthcare provider must document this finding thoroughly and immediately consult with a physician or supervising nurse. An irregular rhythm can indicate various underlying cardiac issues, and further medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause and appropriate course of action. It is crucial not to interpret or dismiss such findings without expert medical review.

A patient diagnosed with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) skin infection should be placed on which isolation precaution?

Answer: Contact precautions with gloves and gown

MRSA is primarily transmitted via direct or indirect contact; contact precautions (gown and gloves upon room entry) are required to prevent spread of this drug-resistant organism.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA '90) established a requirement for pharmacists to offer counseling to which patient population?

Answer: All Medicaid patients

OBRA '90 mandated that pharmacists offer to counsel Medicaid patients about their prescriptions to ensure appropriate medication use. While counseling is now considered standard practice for all patients, the law specifically targeted the Medicaid population.