NWCA MEDICAL ASSISTANT CORE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Esophageal structure - ✔✔This results from scar tissue or other damage of the
esophagus causing swallowing difficulties
✔✔Pyrosis - ✔✔This is commonly called heartburn. It refers to a burning sensation
caused by the return of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus
✔✔Esophageal varices - ✔✔This refers to an enlarged and swollen vein at the lower
end of the esophagus
✔✔Hiatal hernia - ✔✔This is an anatomical abnormality where a portion of the stomach
protrudes upward into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm
✔✔Anorexia - ✔✔This refers to an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low
body weight and overwhelming fear of and obsession about gaining weight. Patients
have a distorted perception of their own weight
✔✔Bulimia - ✔✔This emotional disorder involves distortion of body image and
obsession with losing weight. Patients experience bouts of overeating followed by
depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting
✔✔Dehydration - ✔✔This refers to fluid loss that exceeds fluid intake disrupting the
body's normal electrolyte balance
✔✔Cachexia - ✔✔This refers to physical wasting due to loss of weight and muscle
mass. This condition is commonly a result of advanced cancer or AIDS
✔✔Malnutrition - ✔✔This refers to a lack of proper food or nutrients because of a
shortage of food or poor eating habits. It can also be caused by the inability of the body
to digest, absorb, or distribute nutrients
,✔✔Malabsorption - ✔✔This condition is when the small intestine cannot absorb
nutrients from food as it passes through the digestive tract
✔✔Obesity - ✔✔An excessive accumulation of fat in the body. It is diagnosed when
individuals are more then 20% of established weight standards based on height, age,
and gender
✔✔Celiac disease - ✔✔A hereditary autoimmune disorder leading to a severe reaction
to foods containing gluten, a type of protein found in grains
✔✔Gluten intolerance - ✔✔Typically caused by an allergy to wheat
✔✔Food allergy - ✔✔Immune system reaction occurs after eating a certain food
✔✔Lactose intolerance - ✔✔The inability to digest dairy products because of the
absence of the enzyme lactase needed to metabolize the sugar, lactose, found in milk
and dairy products
✔✔Diverticulosis - ✔✔The chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the
colon
✔✔Diverticulitis - ✔✔Sometimes diverticulosis develops into diverticulitis which is the
inflammation of infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon
✔✔Enteritis - ✔✔An inflammation of the small intestine caused by eating or drinking
something contaminated with a pathogen, typically viral or bacterial
✔✔Ischemic colitis - ✔✔Occurs when a part of the large intestine is partially or
completely deprived of blood leading to inflammation and permanent damage in that
area
✔✔Ileus - ✔✔The partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine
✔✔Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - ✔✔This common condition leads to intermittent
cramping and abdominal pain. Patients may experience constipation or diarrhea
✔✔Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - ✔✔Condition caused by inflammation and
selling in the intestines. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
✔✔Ulcerative colitis - ✔✔causes episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large
intestine causing ulcers and irritation.
✔✔Intestinal obstructions - ✔✔A partial or complete blockage of the small or large
intestine caused by a physical obstruction.
, ✔✔Inguinal hernia - ✔✔The protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in
the lower abdominal wall or groin
✔✔Dysentery - ✔✔This is a bacterial infection spread through food or water
contaminated with human feces
✔✔E. coli - ✔✔Infection caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, transmitted through
contaminated foods that have not been adequately cooked
✔✔Bowel incontinence - ✔✔Inability to control the excretion of feces
✔✔Obtaining an Obstetrical History - ✔✔1. Date of the last menstrual period (LMP)
2. Age at the onset of menses (menarche)
3. Frequency and duration of menstrual periods
4. Estimated amount of blood loss during periods (slight, moderate, heavy)
5. Pain, if any during menstrual period
6. Total number of pregnancies
7. Number of live births (fetus born alive and of gestational age of viability)
8. Number of multiple pregnancies
9. Number of still births
10. Number of miscarriages or abortions (spontaneous or induced)
11. Infants born with congenital defects
12. Age at cessation of menses (menopause)
13. Surgical procedures, if any
14. History of any sexually transmitted disease
15. Dates of last mammogram and Pap smear
16. Medications, including birth control pills (BCP), vitamins, and aspirin
17. Method of contraception
18. Breastfeeding, If there is a history of previous pregnancies
19. Blood type
✔✔Breastfeeding - ✔✔Recommended for full-term infants for the first year of life
because it is ideally formulated to promote normal infant growth and development and
natural immunity
✔✔Assisting with a Prenatal Exam - ✔✔During the first prenatal appointment, the
physician will confirm or deny a suspected pregnancy. The prenatal exam includes
several blood tests, manual examinations, and consultation with the physician. The
physician will ask questions about how far along the pregnancy has progressed, the
onset of menses, the duration and amount of flow, any cycle problems, previous
pregnancies or complications, previous births or complications, and all other information
normally gained in the obstetrical history. The physician will also give the mother
information on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy including information on weight
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Esophageal structure - ✔✔This results from scar tissue or other damage of the
esophagus causing swallowing difficulties
✔✔Pyrosis - ✔✔This is commonly called heartburn. It refers to a burning sensation
caused by the return of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus
✔✔Esophageal varices - ✔✔This refers to an enlarged and swollen vein at the lower
end of the esophagus
✔✔Hiatal hernia - ✔✔This is an anatomical abnormality where a portion of the stomach
protrudes upward into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm
✔✔Anorexia - ✔✔This refers to an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low
body weight and overwhelming fear of and obsession about gaining weight. Patients
have a distorted perception of their own weight
✔✔Bulimia - ✔✔This emotional disorder involves distortion of body image and
obsession with losing weight. Patients experience bouts of overeating followed by
depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting
✔✔Dehydration - ✔✔This refers to fluid loss that exceeds fluid intake disrupting the
body's normal electrolyte balance
✔✔Cachexia - ✔✔This refers to physical wasting due to loss of weight and muscle
mass. This condition is commonly a result of advanced cancer or AIDS
✔✔Malnutrition - ✔✔This refers to a lack of proper food or nutrients because of a
shortage of food or poor eating habits. It can also be caused by the inability of the body
to digest, absorb, or distribute nutrients
,✔✔Malabsorption - ✔✔This condition is when the small intestine cannot absorb
nutrients from food as it passes through the digestive tract
✔✔Obesity - ✔✔An excessive accumulation of fat in the body. It is diagnosed when
individuals are more then 20% of established weight standards based on height, age,
and gender
✔✔Celiac disease - ✔✔A hereditary autoimmune disorder leading to a severe reaction
to foods containing gluten, a type of protein found in grains
✔✔Gluten intolerance - ✔✔Typically caused by an allergy to wheat
✔✔Food allergy - ✔✔Immune system reaction occurs after eating a certain food
✔✔Lactose intolerance - ✔✔The inability to digest dairy products because of the
absence of the enzyme lactase needed to metabolize the sugar, lactose, found in milk
and dairy products
✔✔Diverticulosis - ✔✔The chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the
colon
✔✔Diverticulitis - ✔✔Sometimes diverticulosis develops into diverticulitis which is the
inflammation of infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon
✔✔Enteritis - ✔✔An inflammation of the small intestine caused by eating or drinking
something contaminated with a pathogen, typically viral or bacterial
✔✔Ischemic colitis - ✔✔Occurs when a part of the large intestine is partially or
completely deprived of blood leading to inflammation and permanent damage in that
area
✔✔Ileus - ✔✔The partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine
✔✔Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - ✔✔This common condition leads to intermittent
cramping and abdominal pain. Patients may experience constipation or diarrhea
✔✔Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - ✔✔Condition caused by inflammation and
selling in the intestines. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
✔✔Ulcerative colitis - ✔✔causes episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large
intestine causing ulcers and irritation.
✔✔Intestinal obstructions - ✔✔A partial or complete blockage of the small or large
intestine caused by a physical obstruction.
, ✔✔Inguinal hernia - ✔✔The protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in
the lower abdominal wall or groin
✔✔Dysentery - ✔✔This is a bacterial infection spread through food or water
contaminated with human feces
✔✔E. coli - ✔✔Infection caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli, transmitted through
contaminated foods that have not been adequately cooked
✔✔Bowel incontinence - ✔✔Inability to control the excretion of feces
✔✔Obtaining an Obstetrical History - ✔✔1. Date of the last menstrual period (LMP)
2. Age at the onset of menses (menarche)
3. Frequency and duration of menstrual periods
4. Estimated amount of blood loss during periods (slight, moderate, heavy)
5. Pain, if any during menstrual period
6. Total number of pregnancies
7. Number of live births (fetus born alive and of gestational age of viability)
8. Number of multiple pregnancies
9. Number of still births
10. Number of miscarriages or abortions (spontaneous or induced)
11. Infants born with congenital defects
12. Age at cessation of menses (menopause)
13. Surgical procedures, if any
14. History of any sexually transmitted disease
15. Dates of last mammogram and Pap smear
16. Medications, including birth control pills (BCP), vitamins, and aspirin
17. Method of contraception
18. Breastfeeding, If there is a history of previous pregnancies
19. Blood type
✔✔Breastfeeding - ✔✔Recommended for full-term infants for the first year of life
because it is ideally formulated to promote normal infant growth and development and
natural immunity
✔✔Assisting with a Prenatal Exam - ✔✔During the first prenatal appointment, the
physician will confirm or deny a suspected pregnancy. The prenatal exam includes
several blood tests, manual examinations, and consultation with the physician. The
physician will ask questions about how far along the pregnancy has progressed, the
onset of menses, the duration and amount of flow, any cycle problems, previous
pregnancies or complications, previous births or complications, and all other information
normally gained in the obstetrical history. The physician will also give the mother
information on how to maintain a healthy pregnancy including information on weight
