NHA CCMA flashcards

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

Normal adult oral temperature

Approximately 97.6 to 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Rectal readings run slightly higher and axillary readings slightly lower than oral values.

Radial pulse technique

Press the radial artery at the thumb-side wrist with two fingers. Count beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two when the rhythm is regular.

Respiration counting method

Count one full rise and fall of the chest as one respiration. Keep the patient unaware of the count to prevent voluntary alteration of breathing rate.

Blood pressure cuff sizing

The bladder should encircle about 80 percent of the arm circumference. An undersized cuff produces falsely elevated readings; an oversized cuff produces falsely low readings.

Intradermal injection angle

Delivered with a 26 to 27 gauge needle at a 5 to 15 degree angle, just under the epidermis, creating a small wheal. Used for tuberculosis and allergy testing.

Subcutaneous injection sites

Common sites are the outer upper arm, abdomen at least two inches from the navel, and anterior thigh. Needle gauges of 25 to 27 are typical.

Ventrogluteal site landmarks

Place the palm on the greater trochanter and the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine. Inject in the triangle formed by the spread fingers.

Deltoid injection landmark

Locate the acromion process and inject one to two inches below it in the thickest part of the muscle. Suitable only for small volumes.

Order of draw rationale

Additive carryover between tubes can alter results. Drawing citrate, serum, heparin, EDTA, then glycolytic inhibitor tubes prevents cross-contamination of additives.

Lavender tube additive

Contains EDTA, which binds calcium and prevents clotting. Used for complete blood counts, hemoglobin A1c, and blood bank testing.

Light blue tube additive

Contains sodium citrate, which reversibly binds calcium. Used for coagulation studies such as prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time; must be filled to the marked line.

Medical versus surgical asepsis

Medical asepsis reduces the number and spread of microorganisms through hand hygiene and disinfection. Surgical asepsis destroys all microorganisms and is required for invasive procedures.

Standard precautions scope

Treat all blood, body fluids, secretions, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious. Apply gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection based on anticipated exposure.

Normal sinus rhythm criteria

A P wave precedes each QRS complex, the PR interval is 0.12 to 0.20 seconds, and the QRS duration is under 0.12 seconds at a rate of 60 to 100.

Pulse oximetry interpretation

A reading of 95 to 100 percent on room air is normal. Values below 90 percent indicate hypoxemia and require prompt reporting and reassessment.

Orthostatic blood pressure measurement

Measure pressure and pulse with the patient lying, then sitting, then standing. A drop of 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic on standing suggests orthostatic hypotension.

HIPAA treatment payment operations

These three categories permit disclosure of protected health information without patient authorization because they support core health care functions rather than unrelated purposes.

Medical record ownership

The practice or facility owns the physical or electronic record, but the patient owns the information within it and has rights of access and amendment.

Valid release authorization elements

A signed authorization must identify the information released, the recipient, the purpose, an expiration date, and the patient's right to revoke it.

Psychotherapy notes protection

Notes kept by a mental health professional documenting session content receive heightened HIPAA protection and require separate authorization for release, apart from general treatment records.

Explanation of benefits purpose

A statement sent to the patient showing services billed, amounts allowed, amounts paid by the insurer, and patient responsibility. It is not a bill.

Remittance advice purpose

An electronic or paper document sent to the provider explaining claim payment, contractual adjustments, and denial reasons for submitted claims.

Timely filing limit

The maximum period a payer allows for claim submission after the date of service, commonly 90 to 365 days. Missing it forfeits payment.

Accounts receivable aging

A report grouping unpaid balances by age, typically 0 to 30, 31 to 60, 61 to 90, and over 90 days, to identify collection priorities.

Birthday rule

When a dependent child is covered by both parents' plans and parents share joint custody, the plan of the parent whose birthday falls earlier in the calendar year pays first.

Medicare Part A coverage

Hospital insurance covering inpatient stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, hospice, and some home health services. Funded through payroll taxes.

Medicare Part B coverage

Medical insurance covering physician services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and preventive services. Requires a monthly premium and annual deductible.

Medicaid eligibility basis

A joint federal and state program providing coverage based on income and categorical eligibility, with benefits and rules set largely by each state.

Copayment versus coinsurance

A copayment is a fixed dollar amount paid at the time of service. Coinsurance is a percentage of the allowed charge the patient pays after the deductible.

Prior authorization purpose

Payer approval obtained before certain services or medications are rendered. Without it, the claim is typically denied as not medically necessary or not authorized.