CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Autonomy

Ethical principle that a patient has the right to make informed decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment, even when the clinician disagrees.

Nonmaleficence

Ethical principle meaning 'do no harm'; it requires the medical assistant to avoid actions or omissions that could cause unnecessary injury or risk to the patient.

Informed consent

A process in which the patient receives and understands the diagnosis, proposed procedure, risks, benefits, alternatives, and right to refuse before voluntarily agreeing to care.

HIPAA Privacy Rule

Federal rule protecting protected health information; it permits disclosure for treatment, payment, and health care operations while requiring safeguards and minimum necessary use.

Protected health information

Individually identifiable health information transmitted or maintained in any form, including names, dates, Social Security numbers, diagnoses, and treatment records, protected under HIPAA.

Active listening

A communication technique using full attention, eye contact, nodding, and paraphrasing to confirm understanding of the patient's message and feelings without interrupting.

Open-ended question

A question that invites a descriptive answer rather than a yes or no, such as 'What brings you in today?' It encourages patients to share concerns.

Standard of care

The degree of care and skill a reasonably competent medical assistant with similar training would provide in similar circumstances; it is the benchmark for negligence.

Advance directive

A legal document stating a patient's health care wishes or naming a surrogate decision-maker; it guides care if the patient loses decision-making capacity.

Mandatory reporting

A legal duty of health care workers to report specified conditions, such as suspected child or elder abuse and certain communicable diseases, to designated authorities under state law.

Medical record ownership

The health care provider or facility owns the physical medical record, but the patient has a legal right under HIPAA to inspect and obtain copies of it.

SOAP note

A progress note format: Subjective (patient's report), Objective (measurable findings), Assessment (diagnosis or impression), and Plan (treatment and follow-up).

ICD-10-CM

The coding system used to report diagnoses and reasons for encounters; accurate codes support medical necessity and correct insurance claim payment.

CPT code

A five-digit code from the Current Procedural Terminology system used to report medical services and procedures for billing and reimbursement.

HCPCS Level II

A national coding system for supplies, drugs, and services not represented by CPT, such as ambulance services, prosthetics, and injectable medications.

Explanation of benefits

An insurer's statement showing services processed, allowed amounts, payments, patient responsibility, and reasons for denial or adjustment; it is not a bill.

Copayment

A fixed dollar amount the patient pays at the time of service, such as $25 for an office visit, as specified by the insurance plan.

Coinsurance

The patient's share of allowed charges after the deductible, expressed as a percentage, such as 20% of the allowed amount for a covered service.

Deductible

The amount a patient must pay out of pocket for covered services before the insurance plan begins paying, except for services exempted by the plan.

Clean claim

A claim submitted with complete, accurate, and consistent information that requires no further investigation or correction before the payer can process it.

Days in accounts receivable

A financial metric calculated as total accounts receivable divided by average daily charges; it estimates how many days of revenue remain uncollected.

Normal adult heart rate

For a resting adult, the normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute; count the radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two when regular.

Normal adult respiratory rate

A resting adult normally breathes 12 to 20 times per minute; count respirations for 30 seconds and multiply by two, observing rate, rhythm, and depth.

Hand hygiene duration

Alcohol-based hand rub should be applied for at least 20 seconds until dry; soap and water handwashing should last at least 20 seconds with friction.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask; perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all personal protective equipment.

Ventrogluteal site

A preferred adult intramuscular injection site located in the hip; it avoids major nerves and blood vessels and is identified by landmarks on the greater trochanter.

Subcutaneous needle gauge

Subcutaneous injections typically use a 25- to 27-gauge needle, 3/8 to 5/8 inch long, with a small volume such as 0.5 to 1 mL.

Eight rights of medication

Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, reason, documentation, and education; verify each before administration and follow facility policy for barcode scanning.

Medical asepsis

Practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms, such as hand hygiene, disinfection, and clean technique; they do not necessarily destroy all spores.

Sterilization

A process that destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores; autoclaving uses steam under pressure, commonly 121°C at 15 psi for 15 minutes.

Order of draw

CLSI order for venipuncture: blood culture, light blue citrate, red or gold serum, green heparin, lavender EDTA, then gray fluoride-oxalate; follow facility policy if different.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, rapid allergic reaction with airway swelling, wheezing, hypotension, and hives; stop the medication and activate emergency care immediately, following protocol.