FULL STUDY GUIDE -NHA CCMA
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Afebrile -
\Absence of fever
Chief Complaint -
\The reason why the patient came to see the physician
Percussion -
\This involves tapping or striking the body, usually with fingers or a small hammer to
determine the position, size and density go the underlying organ or tissue
Endocardium -
\The endocardium is the inner layer of the heart. It consists of epithelial tissue and
connective tissue.
Function: Lines the inner cavities of the heart, covers heart valves and is continuous
with the inner lining of blood vessels.
Purkinje fibers are located in the endocardium. They participate in the contraction of the
heart muscle.
Stroke Volume (Preload) -
\The blood volume ejected outside the ventricle after each contraction. ~ The volume of
the blood returning to the heart. ~ The force of the myocardium contraction
Ventricular Repolarization -
\The T Wave. ~ The first wave produced after the QRS Complex. Has the following
characteristics: The deflection produced by the ventricular repolarization. It is slighty
asymmetric. No more than 5 mm in height.
Hematoma -
\A localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within
the tissue. An ecchymosis, commonly called a bruise, is a hematoma of the skin larger
than 10mm.
(acronym.) BeCause Better Specimens, Y'all, Generate Perfect Goals -
\Order of draw (per NHA): Blood Cultures, Blue (light), Serum (red), Yellow, Green,
Purple (Lavender), Gray
Gram Stain -
\A method of differentiating bacterial species into two large groups (gram-positive and
gram-negative). Gram staining differentiates bacteria by the chemical and physical
properties of their cell walls by detecting peptidoglycan, which is present in a thick layer
,in gram-positive bacteria. The Gram stain is almost always the first step in the
identification of a bacterial organism.
Axillary -
\Under the arm (armpit)
Throat culture -
\A laboratory diagnostic test to find a bacterial or fungal infection in the throat. Sampling
is performed by throat swab, and the sample is put in a special cup (culture) that allows
infections to grow. If an infection grows, the culture is positive. The type of infection is
found using a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the culture is
negative.
Tort -
\A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a civil wrong[1] which unfairly causes someone
else to suffer loss or harm resulting in legal liability for the person : Battery, Invasion of
privacy, defamation of character
Artifact -
\Unwanted interference or jitter on the EKG recording. This makes the EKG reading
difficult or impossible, as well as can lead to a misdiagnosis.
AV (atriventricular) Valves -
\Located between the atria and ventricles. AV cusped valves characteristics are: They
have tough fibrous rings, long and strong leaflets (cuspids), They are accessory organs
(like papillary muscles and chordae tendinae)
Standard Precautions -
\Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all
patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any
setting where healthcare is delivered. Standard Precautions include: 1) hand hygiene,
2) use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks), 3) safe injection
practices, 4) safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces in the
patient environment, and 5) respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Parasympathetic (Vagus Nerve) -
\Generally has an inhibitory effect via the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine which may
cause the following to happen:
*Slows down pacemaker and HR
*Slows the conduction of electricity in AV node
*Decreases the strength of atrial and ventricular contraction.
Infection Control/ Chain of Infection -
\This consists of links, each of which is necessary for the infectious disease to spread.
Infection control is based on the fact that the transmission of infectious diseases will be
prevented or stopped when any level in the chain is broken or interrupted.
,AGENT ------- MODE OF TRANSMISSION --------- SUSCEPTIBLE HOST ----------
PORTAL OF EXIT -------- PORTAL OF ENTRY
Medical Asepsis -
\Involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.
For example, performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves, nothing on floor, clean from
least soiled to most soiled.
Urinary Bacteria -
\Enteric gram-negative bacteria that are always nitrite positive can convert urinary
nitrate to nitrite. A positive nitrite test is an indication that a significant number of
bacteria are present in the urine.
PKU -
\This test is ordered for infants to detect phenylketonuria, a genetic disease that causes
mental retardation and brain damage. Test is done on blood from newborn's heel or in
urine.
Accessioning Order -
\Each request for blood withdrawl must include accessioning order, number for paper
work, and supplies and patients identification. The blood request forms should include
the following:
Patient's name and age from ID plate or wristband, Identification number, date & time
the specimen is obtained, name or initials of person who obtains specimen,
accessioning number, Physician's name, department for which which work is being
done, other useful info (special comments, unusual sampling site, drawn near Iv site...)
Cold agglutinins -
\antibodies produced in response to atypical pneumonia, must be kept at 37 C.
History of Present Illness (HPI) -
\description of current problem, includes location, quality, severity, duration, timing,
context, modifying factors, and associated signs and symptoms.
Vital Signs -
\Reflect the functions of three body processes necessary for life. Determinations that
provide information about body conditions; include temperature, pulse, respirations, and
blood pressure.
Disinfection -
\A procedure used in medical asepsis using various chemicals that can be used to
destroy many pathogenic microorganisms.
Barrier Protection -
, \Refers to placing a physical barrier between the patients body fluids (such as blood and
saliva) and the healthcare personnel (HCP) to prevent disease transmision.
Febrile -
\relating to a fever.
U Wave -
\Deflection seen following the T wave but preceding the next P wave. Represents the
repolarization of the Purkinje Fibers. Round and symmetric less than 1.5 mm in height.
A prominent U Wave is due to hypokalemia (low potassium, blood level.)
Purkinje Fibers -
\fibers in the ventricles that transmit impulses to the right and left ventricles, causing
them to contract.
Hypokalemia -
\A condition in which an inadequate amount of potassium, the major intracellular cation,
is found in the circulatory bloodstream.
Ventricular Fibrillation -
\A condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the
heart muscle from contracting normally. It is produced by multiple electrical sites firing
electrical impulses at the same time, resulting in quivering of the ventricles myocardial
muscle fibers, but not a uniform contraction.
The rhythm is a chaotic deflection of different waves that vary in size, shape and
duration.
There are NO normal visible waves. There is no contraction, this is no blood ejected in
the blood vessels, so the blood can clot. This is a medical emergency which requires
defibrillation and CPR.
Holter monitor -
\a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously
monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period.
Coagulation -
\Blood clotting.
Prothrombin time -
\PT; TEST TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO ACTIVATE
PROTHROMBIN IN ORDER FOR A CLOT TO FORM.
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) -
\A diagnostic study to measure arterial blood gases to attain information needed and
manage a patient's respiratory status.
Median Cubital Vein -
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Afebrile -
\Absence of fever
Chief Complaint -
\The reason why the patient came to see the physician
Percussion -
\This involves tapping or striking the body, usually with fingers or a small hammer to
determine the position, size and density go the underlying organ or tissue
Endocardium -
\The endocardium is the inner layer of the heart. It consists of epithelial tissue and
connective tissue.
Function: Lines the inner cavities of the heart, covers heart valves and is continuous
with the inner lining of blood vessels.
Purkinje fibers are located in the endocardium. They participate in the contraction of the
heart muscle.
Stroke Volume (Preload) -
\The blood volume ejected outside the ventricle after each contraction. ~ The volume of
the blood returning to the heart. ~ The force of the myocardium contraction
Ventricular Repolarization -
\The T Wave. ~ The first wave produced after the QRS Complex. Has the following
characteristics: The deflection produced by the ventricular repolarization. It is slighty
asymmetric. No more than 5 mm in height.
Hematoma -
\A localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within
the tissue. An ecchymosis, commonly called a bruise, is a hematoma of the skin larger
than 10mm.
(acronym.) BeCause Better Specimens, Y'all, Generate Perfect Goals -
\Order of draw (per NHA): Blood Cultures, Blue (light), Serum (red), Yellow, Green,
Purple (Lavender), Gray
Gram Stain -
\A method of differentiating bacterial species into two large groups (gram-positive and
gram-negative). Gram staining differentiates bacteria by the chemical and physical
properties of their cell walls by detecting peptidoglycan, which is present in a thick layer
,in gram-positive bacteria. The Gram stain is almost always the first step in the
identification of a bacterial organism.
Axillary -
\Under the arm (armpit)
Throat culture -
\A laboratory diagnostic test to find a bacterial or fungal infection in the throat. Sampling
is performed by throat swab, and the sample is put in a special cup (culture) that allows
infections to grow. If an infection grows, the culture is positive. The type of infection is
found using a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the culture is
negative.
Tort -
\A tort, in common law jurisdictions, is a civil wrong[1] which unfairly causes someone
else to suffer loss or harm resulting in legal liability for the person : Battery, Invasion of
privacy, defamation of character
Artifact -
\Unwanted interference or jitter on the EKG recording. This makes the EKG reading
difficult or impossible, as well as can lead to a misdiagnosis.
AV (atriventricular) Valves -
\Located between the atria and ventricles. AV cusped valves characteristics are: They
have tough fibrous rings, long and strong leaflets (cuspids), They are accessory organs
(like papillary muscles and chordae tendinae)
Standard Precautions -
\Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all
patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any
setting where healthcare is delivered. Standard Precautions include: 1) hand hygiene,
2) use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks), 3) safe injection
practices, 4) safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces in the
patient environment, and 5) respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Parasympathetic (Vagus Nerve) -
\Generally has an inhibitory effect via the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine which may
cause the following to happen:
*Slows down pacemaker and HR
*Slows the conduction of electricity in AV node
*Decreases the strength of atrial and ventricular contraction.
Infection Control/ Chain of Infection -
\This consists of links, each of which is necessary for the infectious disease to spread.
Infection control is based on the fact that the transmission of infectious diseases will be
prevented or stopped when any level in the chain is broken or interrupted.
,AGENT ------- MODE OF TRANSMISSION --------- SUSCEPTIBLE HOST ----------
PORTAL OF EXIT -------- PORTAL OF ENTRY
Medical Asepsis -
\Involves procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.
For example, performing hand hygiene and wearing gloves, nothing on floor, clean from
least soiled to most soiled.
Urinary Bacteria -
\Enteric gram-negative bacteria that are always nitrite positive can convert urinary
nitrate to nitrite. A positive nitrite test is an indication that a significant number of
bacteria are present in the urine.
PKU -
\This test is ordered for infants to detect phenylketonuria, a genetic disease that causes
mental retardation and brain damage. Test is done on blood from newborn's heel or in
urine.
Accessioning Order -
\Each request for blood withdrawl must include accessioning order, number for paper
work, and supplies and patients identification. The blood request forms should include
the following:
Patient's name and age from ID plate or wristband, Identification number, date & time
the specimen is obtained, name or initials of person who obtains specimen,
accessioning number, Physician's name, department for which which work is being
done, other useful info (special comments, unusual sampling site, drawn near Iv site...)
Cold agglutinins -
\antibodies produced in response to atypical pneumonia, must be kept at 37 C.
History of Present Illness (HPI) -
\description of current problem, includes location, quality, severity, duration, timing,
context, modifying factors, and associated signs and symptoms.
Vital Signs -
\Reflect the functions of three body processes necessary for life. Determinations that
provide information about body conditions; include temperature, pulse, respirations, and
blood pressure.
Disinfection -
\A procedure used in medical asepsis using various chemicals that can be used to
destroy many pathogenic microorganisms.
Barrier Protection -
, \Refers to placing a physical barrier between the patients body fluids (such as blood and
saliva) and the healthcare personnel (HCP) to prevent disease transmision.
Febrile -
\relating to a fever.
U Wave -
\Deflection seen following the T wave but preceding the next P wave. Represents the
repolarization of the Purkinje Fibers. Round and symmetric less than 1.5 mm in height.
A prominent U Wave is due to hypokalemia (low potassium, blood level.)
Purkinje Fibers -
\fibers in the ventricles that transmit impulses to the right and left ventricles, causing
them to contract.
Hypokalemia -
\A condition in which an inadequate amount of potassium, the major intracellular cation,
is found in the circulatory bloodstream.
Ventricular Fibrillation -
\A condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the
heart muscle from contracting normally. It is produced by multiple electrical sites firing
electrical impulses at the same time, resulting in quivering of the ventricles myocardial
muscle fibers, but not a uniform contraction.
The rhythm is a chaotic deflection of different waves that vary in size, shape and
duration.
There are NO normal visible waves. There is no contraction, this is no blood ejected in
the blood vessels, so the blood can clot. This is a medical emergency which requires
defibrillation and CPR.
Holter monitor -
\a portable electrocardiograph that is worn by an ambulatory patient to continuously
monitor the heart rates and rhythms over a 24-hour period.
Coagulation -
\Blood clotting.
Prothrombin time -
\PT; TEST TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO ACTIVATE
PROTHROMBIN IN ORDER FOR A CLOT TO FORM.
Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) -
\A diagnostic study to measure arterial blood gases to attain information needed and
manage a patient's respiratory status.
Median Cubital Vein -
