Page 15 - ractice Exam Questions and rationales

Rationale: Patient information can be recorded in the medical record in a variety of ways.
Progress notes, flow charts and narrative notation are all effective ways to document a patient's
medical information. The SOAP format is the documentation system chosen by many
physicians. S=Subjective patient interview information, O=Objective information such as vitals,
lab values, etc., A=Assessment of the "S" and "O" data, P=Plan for treatment or follow-up.
Medical records of various styles are generally kept in charts, which are filed according to a
filing system.
During a routine visit, a petite female patient becomes very distraught while discussing the
recent death of her husband. She suddenly faints. Which of the following actions should the
medical assistant take next?

A. Protect the patient from injury.

B. Activate EMS.

C. Notify the physician.

D. Draw blood for laboratory tests.

Your response:
Activate EMS.
Correct response:
Protect the patient from injury.
Rationale: Protecting the patient is the ultimate priority here. Quickly and carefully lay the
patient flat (in the supine position) with her head lower than her feet. Once you have tended to
the patient, stay with her to eliminate the potential for any injuries. Then call the physician or
other medical personnel to alert them to your situation. Fainting itself does not constitute a
reason for activating EMS (that would be necessary if the patient's heart and/or breathing
stopped). Phlebotomy is the last consideration; blood work is not the main concern at this time.
An older adult patient arrives to have blood drawn. While assessing the arms for venipuncture,
the medical assistant notices scar tissue in the anticubital areas and is unable to palpate a vein.
Which of the following is an appropriate alternative course of action?

A. Draw blood from the hand using an evacuated tube system.

B. Draw blood from the hand using a winged infusion set.

C. Use a larger gauge needle to penetrate through the scar tissue.

D. Perform a capillary puncture on the lateral thumb.

Your response:
Draw blood from the hand using a winged infusion set.
Correct response:
Draw blood from the hand using a winged infusion set.
Rationale: Areas with visible scar tissue should be avoided when selecting a site for