Page 57 - ractice Exam Questions and rationales

the penalty fee.

B. Document the returned check in aged accounts receivable.

C. Apply petty cash funds to the patient’s account to cover the amount of the returned
check.

D. Enter the returned check amount in accounts payable to begin collections process.

Your response:
Increase the patient’s account balance due by the same amount of the returned check plus the
penalty fee.
Correct response:
Increase the patient’s account balance due by the same amount of the returned check plus the
penalty fee.
Rationale: The patient now owes the balance plus the returned check charge. Adding this to the
account balance demonstrates proper handling of returned check process. Most offices will not
turn a single failure to pay or recent delinquent payment over to collections.
A patient is discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of HIV and MRSA and comes to the
office for a follow-up appointment. What is the best method the medical assistant could use to
clean the nasal speculum, forceps, and hemostat used in the exam?

A. chemical sterilization

B. disinfect with 70% isopropyl alcohol

C. disinfect with sodium hypochlorite (1:10)

D. steam sterilization

Your response:
steam sterilization
Correct response:
steam sterilization
Rationale: All of the instruments here can be cleaned a number of ways (sanitized, disinfected,
and sterilized). Steam sterilization (high pressure saturated steam in an autoclave) would be the
best way to ensure removal of all HIV/MRSA from the instruments. This will properly sterilize
the instruments without subjecting them to harsh chemicals. Other medical equipment (i.e. an
endoscope) that is not suitable for the autoclave and must be cleaned based on manufacturer's
instructions and office protocol. These instruments could be disinfected using a 1:10 sodium
hypochlorite solution (a.k.a. bleach). Bleach is considered safe to use on medical equipment
(though it may pit some metals) and is widely used in hospitals and clinics to disinfect supplies
and counter tops. MRSA and HIV are both susceptible to the proper dilution of bleach.
However, it is very important to maintain proper contact time between the bleach and instrument
surfaces (or else residual bacteria and virus could be left behind to infect others). Ethyl alcohol