Medical Terminology and Concepts, Exams of Nursing

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The opening inside the skull that holds the brain is the: a. Cranial cavity b. Orbital cavity c. Nasal cavity d. Thoracic cavity *The dorsal cavity is divided into the cranial cavity (which houses the brain) The answer is: Cranial cavity A crime punishable by a fine or imprisonment for less than one year is known as a: a. Misdemeanor b. Arbitration c. Felony d. Mitigation *Misdemeanors are less serious crimes than felonies and re punishable by fines or imprisonment up to a year or less. The correct answer is: Misdemeanor Professional negligence is also called: a. Malfunction b. Arbitration c. Malice d. Malpractice

Medical negligence is commonly known as malpractice The correct answer is: Malpractice Which of the following items is the most important for assistive personnel to keep in mind during their daily routine in medical settings? a. Burglary b. Confidentiality c. Privilege granted to a physician d. Consent *In the Standard of Care the first item the medical assistant should uphold is maintaining confidentiality The correct answer is: Confidentiality In which of the following situations is it permissible to release information from a patient's records? a. When the patient's employer requests it b. When an attorney requests it c. When a court requests it by means of a subpoena d. When the patient's best friend requests it *The law may require the physician to release the record when a court subpoenas it The correct answer is: When a court requests it by means of a subpoena Under which of the following circumstances is it permissible to release information from a patient's records? a. When the physician calls to request it b. When the patient signs a release c. When the insurance company signs a release

d. When the patient has signed a living will *Information can be released only after a patient signs a release statement The correct answer is: When the patient signs a release This cavity contains the heart and lungs, among other organs. a. Thoracic b. Cranial c. Orbital d. Nasal *The thoracic cavity contains the lungs, heart, esophagus and trachea The correct answer is: Thoracic Located near the back of the body, this body cavity is a continuous internal opening that includes the cranial and spinal cavities. a. Posterior (dorsal) cavity b. Transverse plane c. Pelvic cavity d. Abdominal cavity *The dorsal cavity is divided into the cranial cavity and the spinal cavity The correct answer is: Posterior (dorsal) cavity This is the scrubbing of instruments with special brushes and detergents to remove blood, mucous, etc. a. Sterilization b. Sanitization c. Distillation

d. Disinfection *Sanitization is the scrubbing of instruments and equipment with special brushes and detergents to remove blood, mucous and other contaminants The correct answer is: Sanitization This is the process that involves a soaking or wiping process and inhibits the activity of disease- causing organisms. a. Sterilization b. Sanitizing c. Disinfection d. Treated with antiseptics *Disinfection is the process that destroys most micro organisms; however it cannot kill all The correct answer is: Disinfection The process used for supplies that would come in contact with internal body tissue or an open wound. It involves the use of heat (steam) and an autoclave. a. Disinfection b. Sterilization c. Surgical Asepsis d. Sanitization *Sterilization is required for all instruments and supplies that will penetrate a patient's skin. Sterilization usually involves an autoclave or chemical (cold) process The correct answer is: Sterilization You are taking vitals on a patient and they complain that they have dizziness every once in a while. What type of symptom is this? a. Familial

b. Subjective c. Objective d. Social *Subjective date is obtained from a conversation with the patient The correct answer is: Subjective You are taking vitals on a patient and they complain their right eye is throbbing. Their right eye is swollen and bruised. What type of symptom is this? a. Familial b. Subjective c. Social d. Objective *Objective data is readily apparent and measurable The correct answer is: Objective If you are recording a patient's height and are using centimeters, what is the conversion formula to go from centimeters to inches? a. Mulitply by 2. b. Subtract 2.5 from the number c. Divide by 2. d. Add 2.5 to the number *To go from CM to inches, the formula would be ____ CM ÷2.54 = Inches The correct answer is: Divide by 2. You are taking the vitals of a patient with pneumonia. The patient coughs near your face. What could you have done to minimize the risk of contracting the disease? a. Put on goggles before entering the room

b. Sterilize the examination room c. Wash your face as soon as the incident occurs. d. Ask the patient to look the other way while coughing *According to Standard Precautions, the use of PPE in addition to cough etiquette includes covering mouth and providing at least 3 feet of space between persons The correct answer is: Ask the patient to look the other way while coughing Which of the following liquids is used in an autoclave to sterilize instruments and supplies? a. Alcohol b. Sterile water c. Tap water d. Distilled water When filling an autoclave, distilled water is best The correct answer is: Distilled water Which of the following is one of the six C's of charting? a. Consult b. Clerical c. Counsel d. Client's words **The six C's of charting include client's words, clarity, completeness, conciseness, chronological order and confidentiality The correct answer is: Client's words Which suture size listed below is the thickest? a. 1-

b. 5- c. 7- d. 0- **Suture materials come in thicknesses ranging from size 11-0 (smallest) to size 7 (largest) The correct answer is: 0- The patient has a history of cardiovascular disease. Which of the following tests would not be used as a screening procedure? a. Chest x-ray b. Colonoscopy c. Blood work d. ECG *A colonoscopy is done to visualize the large intestine and also to screen for colon cancer The correct answer is: Colonoscopy Which plane divides the body into right and left portions? a. Frontal b. Transverse c. Sagittal d. Lateral **A sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions The correct answer is: Sagittal The term meaning close to the point of attachment is: a. Proximal b. Distal

c. Superior d. Medial *Proximal means close to the point of attachment or to the trunk of the body The correct answer is: Proximal Which most accurately states the purpose of coding? a. Coding identifies patients in a database b. Coding is used to track a physician's payments c. Coding helps physicians with the diagnosis d. Coding determines the reimbursement of medical fees *The combination of diagnostic codes and procedure codes provides the basis for healthcare reimbursement The correct answer is: Coding determines the reimbursement of medical fees As you are taking vitals of an elderly patient, he begins to question you about his medication and possible side effects. What is the best action to take? a. Listen and explain that the doctor is the best one to have this discussion with b. Ignore the patient and pretend to listen c. Listen and tell the patient you will call the pharmacy to see if there are any other options d. Listen and advise the patient on what to take *As part of the patient advocacy, anything that can be misconstrued as medical advice should be avoided The correct answer is: Listen and explain that the doctor is the best one to have this discussion with In which of the following positions, used for the examination of the rectum, does the patient lie on the left side with the left leg slightly flexed?

a. Lithotomy b. Sims' c. Prone d. Dorsal Recumbent *The Sims Position is used during anal or rectal exams The correct answer is: Sims' Which of the following practices is most important for maintaining medical asepsis? a. Making sure your vaccinations are up-to-date b. Allowing the exam room to air out after each patient c. Washing your hands before and after each patient contact d. Wearing gloves and goggles during all examinations *Hand sanitizing is one of the best means of reducing the spread of microorganisms in a health care facility The correct answer is: Washing your hands before and after each patient contact Using a stethoscope, the artery most commonly used for taking a patient's pulse is: a. Apical b. Temporal c. Carotid d. Radial **The apical pulse (the heartbeat at the apex of the heart) can be heard with a stethoscope The correct answer is: Apical You've taken a patient's temperature and recorded it as 96.9°F. Later, the physician asks you to convert this measurement to Celsius. What is the patient temperature in Celsius?

a. 21. b. 36. c. 116. d. 37. **The formula for Fahrenheit to Celsius is 96.9 (F-32) x 5/9 =? 96.9 - 32 x 5/9 =? The correct answer is: 36. Which of the following is not considered a vital sign? a. Weight b. Respiration c. Pulse Rate d. Blood pressure **Vital signs include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and pain The correct answer is: Weight Which muscle acts to abduct and extend the arm at the shoulder? a. Deltoid b. Bicep c. Gluteus Maximus d. Tricep *The deltoid acts to abduct and extend the arm at the shoulder The correct answer is: Deltoid Pointing the toes downward is known as: a. Pronation

b. Plantar flexion c. Abduction d. Dorsiflexion *Pointing the toes down is known as plantar flexion The correct answer is: Plantar flexion Which heart valve is between the left atrium and the left ventricle? a. Tricuspid b. Aortic semilunar c. Right atrioventricular d. Bicuspid **The bicuspid valve has two cusps and is located between the left atrium and left ventricle The correct answer is: Bicuspid Which of the following areas of the body is the site at which to detect the popliteal pulse? a. Forearm b. Foot c. Knee d. Ankle *The popliteal pulse is found behind the knee The correct answer is: Knee Which of the following job responsibilities has the highest risk exposure? a. Assisting in suture removal b. Taking a patient's vitals

c. Drawing blood for a lab analysis d. Collecting a urine specimen *According to OSHA, bodily fluids include blood, semen and amniotic fluid. The employee must have access to the exposure control plan The correct answer is: Drawing blood for a lab analysis The total amount of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute is known as the: a. Diastolic pressure b. Cardiac output c. Systemic circulation d. Systolic pressure *Cardiac output is the total amount of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute The correct answer is: Cardiac output Which route is involved in administering a drug by placing it under the patient's tongue and leaving it there until it is dissolved? a. Buccal route b. Subcutaneous route c. Transdermal route d. Sublingual route *Buccal is dissolved in the cheek and gum and sublingual goes under the tongue The correct answer is: Sublingual route Which of the following is a government-sponsored health benefits plan? a. TRICARE b. PHO

c. HSA d. SSI *TRICARE is government sponsored health benefits for active duty and retired service personnel and their families The correct answer is: TRICARE Which of the following is a sedative? a. Barbituate b. Lithium c. Levodopa d. Phenothiazine *Barbituates /sedatives are commonly used together The correct answer is: Barbituate Codeine is an example of what kind of drug? a. Sedative b. Narcotic analgesic c. Antiepileptic drug d. Antidepressant *Government agencies use the popular term narcotics for opioids like codeine The correct answer is: Narcotic analgesic Which of the following is a common route for the administration of parenteral medications? a. Transdermal b. Injection c. Topical d. Rectal

*Medication given by injection is called parenteral medication The correct answer is: Injection A prefilled syringe is also known as a (n): a. Insulin syringe b. Tuberculin syringe c. Hypodermic syringe d. Cartridge *A cartridge is a small barrel pre-filled with a sterile drug The correct answer is: Cartridge Which of the following muscles is commonly used for intramuscular injections in the infant? a. External oblique b. Deltoid c. Internal oblique d. Vastus lateralis *The vastus lateralis site is good because it is large and a thick muscle that is developed before the child begins to walk The correct answer is: Vastus lateralis What is the function of hemoglobin? a. Simulate red bone marrow b. Fight off infection c. Carry oxygen from the lungs and to carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs d. Help destroy bacteria, toxins and viruses *The function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and to carry

CO2 from the tissues to the lungs The correct answer is: Carry oxygen from the lungs and to carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs Medication applied in patch form is called: a. Buccal b. Topical ointment c. Transdermal d. Tine test *A drug administered through the transdermal patch is absorbed through the skin directly into the bloodstream The correct answer is: Transdermal An optional health benefits program offered to persons signing up for Social Security benefits is: a. TRICARE b. Medicaid c. Medicare Part A d. Medicare Part B *Medicare Part B is voluntary and members must pay income based premiums to enroll The correct answer is: Medicare Part B Which term refers to the control of bleeding? a. Hemostasis b. Hematocrit c. Platelets d. Hemoglobin

*Hemostasis is the process of forming blood clot to stop the leakage of blood The correct answer is: Hemostasis One example of PPE includes: a. ID Tag b. Face shield c. Stethoscope d. Scrub shirt *Gloves, masks, eye/face shield, gowns and or lab coats make up standard PPE The correct answer is: Face shield An instrument used to clear a blockage is a: a. Scalpel b. Probe c. Syringe d. Retractor **Probes are used to explore wounds or body cavities to locate or clear blockages The correct answer is: Probe In the bookkeeping system, things of value relating to the practice are called: a. Debits b. Credits c. Liabilities d. Assets *An asset is anything owned by the company

The correct answer is: Assets Accounts receivable is: a. The amount of money a practice makes each month b. A record of all monies due to the practice c. Outstanding inventory bills d. The people the practice owes money to *Accounts receivable is the total owed to the practice but not yet received The correct answer is: A record of all monies due to the practice Question 50 A jagged, open wound of the skin is a/an: a. Abrasion b. Laceration c. Incision d. Puncture *A laceration is a jagged, open wound in the skin that can extend down into the underlying tissue The correct answer is: Laceration You are preparing a patient for an examination when she claims that she is nauseous. She begins to vomit bright, red blood. Which PPE would be the most appropriate to wear in this situation? a. Goggles, gown and uniform b. Gloves, face shield, and gown c. Face shield, gown, and booties d. Gown, gloves and booties

*Gloves, face shield and gown are standard PPE for protection against bodily fluids The correct answer is: Gloves, face shield, and gown Sterile materials used to cover an incision are: a. Drapes b. Dressings c. Bandages d. Sterile strips *Dressings are sterile materials used to cover an incision The correct answer is: Dressings A very busy phlebotomist misidentifies the patient when collecting a specimen for transfusion preparation. The possible misdiagnosis of blood type could cause the patient's death. If the phlebotomist's action results in injury, the wrongful act is called: a. Battery b. Assault c. Fraud d. Negligence *Negligence is charged when a healthcare practitioner fails to exercise ordinary care and the patient is injured The correct answer is: Negligence Which of the following is a phlebotomy QA procedure? a. Tracking all of the laboratory OSHA violations b. Keeping a record of employee paid sick leave c. Checking needles for blunt tips and small barbs d. Recording chemistry instrument maintenance

*QA refers to the overall process guaranteeing quality patient care The correct answer is: Checking needles for blunt tips and small barbs Which of the following tests is most likely used to test for inflammation, infectious disease, and malignant neoplasms? a. ESR b. AST c. Amylase d. RBC Count **The ESR test measures the rate at which RBS's settle to the bottom. It is used as a diagnostic tool for inflammatory disease and cancer The correct answer is: ESR Unauthorized release of confidential patient information is called: a. Failure to use due care b. A type of negligence c. Invasion of privacy d. Violation of discovery *the improper use of or a breach of confidentiality of medical records may be seen as an invasion of privacy The correct answer is: Invasion of privacy An example of negligence is when the phlebotomist: a. Is unable to obtain a specimen from a very combative patient b. Missed the vein and has to redirect twice to complete the draw c. Fails to report significant changes in a patient's condition d. Forgets to sign out at the nurses' station when draws are complete *Negligence is defined as the healthcare practitioner fails to exercise ordinary care

The correct answer is: Fails to report significant changes in a patient's condition Civil actions involve a. Offenses that can lead to imprisonment b. Legal proceedings between private parties c. Regulations established by governments d. Violent crimes against the state or nation Civil law involves crimes against the person The correct answer is: Legal proceedings between private parties Drawing a patient's blood without his or her permission can result in a charge of: a. Malpractice b. Breach of confidentiality c. Assault and Battery d. Negligence *Battery is an action that causes bodily harm to another. Battery may be charged for any unauthorized touching of a patient. The correct answer is: Assault and Battery The series of components that lead to infection are referred to as the: a. Immune response b. Chain of infection c. Infection cycle d. Pathogenic series *The cycle/chain of infection explains how infections are transmitted

The correct answer is: Chain of infection The pathogen responsible for causing an infection is called the infectious: a. Agent b. Host c. Vehicle d. Vector *The infection cycle begins when the pathogen invades the reservoir host The correct answer is: Agent Which of the following irregularities on an ECG would be considered the most severe? a. Tachycardia b. V-fib c. PVC d. A- fib *V-Fib is the most common cause of cardiac arrest - it is an abnormal heart rhythm The correct answer is: V-fib The heart's ability to create its own electrical impulse is known as: a. Excitability b. Contractility c. Conductivity d. Automaticity *Automaticity is the ability of the heart to initiate an electrical impulse without being stimulated by an independent source The correct answer is: Automaticity

Choose the term that refers to protection from infectious disease. a. Immunity b. Antigen c. Antibody d. Asepsis *Protection from infectious disease is known as immunity The correct answer is: Immunity Which type of precautions would be used for a patient who has pulmonary tuberculosis? a. Airborne b. Reverse c. Droplet d. Contact *Pathogens can be transmitted to a new host through the air. If contaminated droplets are inhaled diseases including influenza and tuberculosis may be contracted The correct answer is: Airborne The abbreviation for the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is: a. HCV b. HBV c. HIV d. HAV *HIV is a virus that infects and gradually destroys components of the immune system. AIDS is the condition that results from the advanced stage of this viral infection The correct answer is: HIV

A person who has recovered from a particular virus and has developed antibodies against that virus is said to be: a. A carrier b. Infectious c. Susceptible d. Immune *A person develops immunity by having an infectious disease caused by pathogens, subsequently the body makes antibodies to defend against the virus The correct answer is: Immune Which of the following would appear in the past history (PH) section of a patient's medical history? a. Review of symptoms b. Insurance carrier c. Hospitalizations d. Chief complaint *Past history includes childhood diseases, major illnesses, injuries and hospitalizations The correct answer is: Hospitalizations An example of a disease requiring droplet isolation is: a. Rubeola b. Varicella c. Pertussis d. Scabies *Pertussis is caused by bacteria and is transmitted by direct/indirect contact The correct answer is: Pertussis

A suffix is an element of a word that: a. Precedes the root of the word b. Follows the root of the word c. Establishes its basic meaning d. Makes pronunciation easier *A suffix is a word element placed at the end of a word that changes the meaning of a word The correct answer is: Follows the root of the word What word is used to describe the breakdown of red blood cells? a. Erythma b. Erythrocytosis c. Hemostasis d. Hemolysis *Hemolysis is the destruction of RBC's with release of hemoglobin into plasma The correct answer is: Hemolysis When applying chest leads, V2 is placed: a. At the fourth ICS, right sternal border b. At the fifth ICS, left midclavicular line c. Midway between V3 and V5 d. At the fourth ICS, left sternal border *V2 is placed at the 4th intercostal space, left sternal border The correct answer is: At the fourth ICS, left sternal border This prefix means "outside":

a. Exo b. Mal c. Dys d. Anti *Exo means outside or outward The correct answer is: Exo Which body organ is primarily affected in a person with pulmonary disease? a. Lungs b. Brain c. Kidney d. Stomach *Pulmonology is the study and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system. The Respiratory system include the trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs and alveoli The correct answer is: Lungs Hepatitis means: a. Muscle weakness b. Kidney infection c. Blood cell disorder d. Liver inflammation *Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis or death The correct answer is: Liver inflammation The lab abbreviation PT stands for: a. Partial thromboplastin