SCMA Basic Flashcards

When performing a capillary blood draw from a finger, which area should be avoided?

Answer: Center of the fingertip

The center of the fingertip should be avoided because it contains more nerve endings and less tissue depth, increasing pain and risk of bone injury.

Which of the following is the correct order for removing personal protective equipment (PPE) after patient care?

Answer: Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection

The CDC recommends removing gloves first, then gown, then mask or respirator, then eye protection to minimize self-contamination.

A patient's chart is subpoenaed for court proceedings. What is the medical assistant's responsibility?

Answer: Notify the physician and follow the practice's legal protocol

A subpoena is a legal order, so the medical assistant must notify the physician and follow the practice's established legal protocol for responding.

Which muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injection in infants under 12 months?

Answer: Vastus lateralis

The vastus lateralis (anterolateral thigh) is preferred for IM injections in infants because it has adequate muscle mass and no major nerves nearby.

What does the medical abbreviation 'NPO' instruct the patient to do?

Answer: Nothing by mouth

NPO stands for 'nil per os,' a Latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth, typically ordered before surgery or certain diagnostic tests.

When scheduling appointments, which patient should be given priority?

Answer: A patient reporting chest pain and shortness of breath

Chest pain and shortness of breath are potential emergency symptoms requiring immediate triage and prioritization over routine visits.

The prefix 'brady-' in medical terminology means:

Answer: Slow

The prefix 'brady-' means slow, as in bradycardia (slow heart rate) or bradypnea (slow breathing rate).