RMA Patient History and Assessment 2

Question 1

When obtaining a patient's past medical history (PMH), which category of information is included?

Accepted Answer

Previous illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, and significant medical diagnoses

Answer

Past medical history includes previous illnesses, chronic conditions, hospitalizations, surgeries, and significant diagnoses that are no longer active — providing context for the patient's overall health background.

Question 2

The OLDCARTS mnemonic is used to characterize a patient's chief complaint during the history of present illness (HPI). What does the 'C' in OLDCARTS stand for?

Accepted Answer

Character

Answer

In OLDCARTS, C stands for Character — describing the quality of the symptom (e.g., sharp, dull, burning, pressure-like, throbbing), which helps differentiate diagnoses.

Question 3

A patient's record shows a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, heart rate of 118 beats/min, respiratory rate of 22 breaths/min, and temperature of 38.9°C. Which clinical picture do these vital signs MOST suggest?

Accepted Answer

Systemic inflammatory response (possibly sepsis)

Answer

Low blood pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fever together meet criteria for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), raising concern for sepsis — a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation.

Question 4

When recording patient height and weight, what action should be taken to ensure accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Have the patient remove shoes, stand straight, and measure in a standardized position with the stadiometer

Answer

Height must be measured with a calibrated stadiometer with the patient shoeless, standing upright with heels together and eyes looking forward (Frankfort plane), to ensure reproducible, clinically valid measurements.

Question 5

During a patient intake, the medical assistant asks about the patient's immunization history. Which ADULT vaccine is recommended ANNUALLY?

Accepted Answer

Influenza vaccine (flu shot)

Answer

The CDC recommends that all persons 6 months and older receive an influenza vaccine every year, as influenza strains change annually and vaccine immunity wanes within months.

RMA Practice Test

RMA Practice Test

RMA Patient History and Assessment 2