NWCA MEDICAL ASSISTANT ACTUAL FINALS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Medication Dosing - ✔✔ac (ante cibum) means
"before meals"
bid (bis in die) means "twice a day"
gt (gutta) means "drop"
hs (hora somni) means "at bedtime"
od (oculus dexter) means "right eye"
os (oculus sinister) means "left eye"
po (per os) means "by mouth"
pc (post cibum) means "after meals"
prn (pro re nata) means "as needed"
q3h (quaque 3 hora) means "every three hours"
qd (quaque die) means "every day"
qid (quater in die) means "four times a day"
Sig (signa) means "write"
tid (ter in die) means "three times a day"
✔✔BSA equation - ✔✔SQUARE ROOT OF (height in cm x weight in kg)/3600
✔✔Young's Rule - ✔✔Adding 12 to the child's age, dividing the sum by the child's age,
then dividing the adult dose by the figure obtained.
✔✔West's Nomogram - ✔✔Using a straight edge (such as a ruler or piece of paper),
align the straight edge so it intersects at the child's height and weight.
✔✔The Medical Assistant's Role in Administering and Dispensing Medications -
✔✔Instructing patients about medication and special diets.
✔✔six rights for medication administration - ✔✔Patient ID
Verify med
,Verify use
Calculate dose
Indicate use
Ensure sure timing is adequate
✔✔Oral Medication - ✔✔Oral routes require the patient to swallow the medication. The
medication goes through the digestive canal and is absorbed by the digestive system
into the bloodstream. Tablets, capsules, lozenges,
and liquids are all oral medications. This is the safest route because the medication can
be retrieved in the few minutes after administration if required. Emesis can be induced
and the drug is expelled from the
body. Oral medications take from 10 to 30 minutes to be absorbed depending upon the
form of the medication and if it is taken on a full or empty stomach. Most oral
medications are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine. This route is quick,
easy, and easily taken at home by patients.
✔✔parenteral route - ✔✔a portal of entry for pathogens by deposition directly into
tissues beneath the skin and mucous membranes
✔✔subcutaneous injection - ✔✔A subcutaneous injection is one in which the
medication is injected using a needle and syringe into the subcutaneous level of the
patient's skin. The medication is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream compared to
intradermal and intramuscular injections because there are fewer blood vessels in this
area.
✔✔Proper administration of intramuscular injection - ✔✔Wash your hands using proper
technique. Collect
gloves, alcohol wipes, syringe with needle, vial or
ampule of medication, bandage strip, sharps container,
and the patient's chart.
For adults: Give injections of 2 to 5 mL. Any dose 4
mL or above should be divided and administered as two
injections. The needle size should be 22 gauge and 1 to
1-1.2 inched long, depending upon the size of the
patient. Examine the medication to assess the
viscosity. A larger gauge needle may be required for
viscous medications. Remember that the smaller the
number of the gauge, the larger is the gauge of the
needle.
For children: Injections should not exceed 1 mL for
young children because the vasts lateralis muscle is
very small. The needle size should be 25 gauge and 1
,inch long, depending upon the size of the child.
Check to ensure that the medication matches the physician's
order and calculate the dosage, if needed. Look up information
relating to the medication's function, usual doses, and side
effects. Also check for patient allergies by both asking the
patient and reviewing the chart. Remember the six rights of
medication administration.
Check the medication label a second time against the
physician's order.
Identify the patient and escort him or her to the treatment area.
Select the site for the injection on the patient. Common sites are the deltoid, vasts
lateralis of the thigh, dorsogluteal, and ventral gluteal muscles. The vasts lateralis is
used in children under 3 years old. The dorsogluteal site is not used until the child has
been walking for at least one year.
Put on gloves using appropriate technique.
Loosen the cap of the needle so that you can drop the cap on the counter just before
you withdraw medication from the vial or ampule.
Clean the skin site with an alcohol wipe and allow it to thoroughly air dry.
Withd
✔✔Proper Administration of a Z-Track Injection - ✔✔Step 1: Wash Hands and Gather
Equipment
Wash your hands using proper technique. Collect gloves, alcohol wipes, tuberculin
syringe with needle, vial or ampule of medication, bandage strip, sharps container, and
the patient's chart.
Step 2: Check Medication Order
Check to ensure that the medication matches the physician's order and calculate the
dosage, if needed. Look up information relating to the medication's function, usual
doses, and side effects. Also check for patient allergies by both asking the patient and
reviewing the chart. Remember the six rights of medication administration.
Step 3: Check Medication Label
Check the medication label a second time against the physician's order.
Step 4: Identify Patient
Identify the patient and escort him or her to the treatment area.
, Step 5: Select Site
Select the site for the injection on the patient. The dorsogluteal site is preferred for the
Z-track method. The ventral gluteal and vasts lateralis sites can also be used.
Step 6: Put on Gloves
Put on gloves using the proper technique.
Step 7: Loosen Cap
Loosen the cap of the needle so that you can drop the cap on the counter just before
you withdraw medication from the vial or ampule.
Step 8: Clean Site
Clean the skin site with an alcohol wipe and allow it to thoroughly air dry.
Step 9: Withdraw Medication
Withdraw the correct dose of medication. If you are not administering the medication
immediately, cover the needle by sliding the cap onto the needle. If you are
administering the medication immediately, do not recap the needle.
Step 10: Check Medication to Order
Check a third time to match the medication against the physician's order. If you doubt
the function of the medication, the dosage or route of administration, or the possibility of
an allergic reaction, immediately consult the physician.
Step 11: Insert N
✔✔Properly Withdrawing Medication from an Ampule - ✔✔Step 1: Wash Hands and
Gather Equipment
Wash your hands using proper technique, You will need a sterile filter needle/syringe
set, the ampule of medication, sterile gauze 2x4s or 4x4s or a safety ampule breaker,
alcohol wipes, gloves, a sharps container, and the patient chart.
Step 2: Check
Medication Order
Each time you administer medication, check that the medication matches the
physician's order. Look up information relating to the medication's function, usual doses,
and side effects. Check the patient allergies
Step 3: Check Medication Label
Check the medication label a second time against the physician's order. Make sure the
medication is correct. Check the expiration date and inspect the ampule to
ensure it is not damaged. Follow the six rights of medication administration.
Step 4: Identify Patient and Put on Gloves
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SET A+
✔✔Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Medication Dosing - ✔✔ac (ante cibum) means
"before meals"
bid (bis in die) means "twice a day"
gt (gutta) means "drop"
hs (hora somni) means "at bedtime"
od (oculus dexter) means "right eye"
os (oculus sinister) means "left eye"
po (per os) means "by mouth"
pc (post cibum) means "after meals"
prn (pro re nata) means "as needed"
q3h (quaque 3 hora) means "every three hours"
qd (quaque die) means "every day"
qid (quater in die) means "four times a day"
Sig (signa) means "write"
tid (ter in die) means "three times a day"
✔✔BSA equation - ✔✔SQUARE ROOT OF (height in cm x weight in kg)/3600
✔✔Young's Rule - ✔✔Adding 12 to the child's age, dividing the sum by the child's age,
then dividing the adult dose by the figure obtained.
✔✔West's Nomogram - ✔✔Using a straight edge (such as a ruler or piece of paper),
align the straight edge so it intersects at the child's height and weight.
✔✔The Medical Assistant's Role in Administering and Dispensing Medications -
✔✔Instructing patients about medication and special diets.
✔✔six rights for medication administration - ✔✔Patient ID
Verify med
,Verify use
Calculate dose
Indicate use
Ensure sure timing is adequate
✔✔Oral Medication - ✔✔Oral routes require the patient to swallow the medication. The
medication goes through the digestive canal and is absorbed by the digestive system
into the bloodstream. Tablets, capsules, lozenges,
and liquids are all oral medications. This is the safest route because the medication can
be retrieved in the few minutes after administration if required. Emesis can be induced
and the drug is expelled from the
body. Oral medications take from 10 to 30 minutes to be absorbed depending upon the
form of the medication and if it is taken on a full or empty stomach. Most oral
medications are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine. This route is quick,
easy, and easily taken at home by patients.
✔✔parenteral route - ✔✔a portal of entry for pathogens by deposition directly into
tissues beneath the skin and mucous membranes
✔✔subcutaneous injection - ✔✔A subcutaneous injection is one in which the
medication is injected using a needle and syringe into the subcutaneous level of the
patient's skin. The medication is absorbed slowly into the bloodstream compared to
intradermal and intramuscular injections because there are fewer blood vessels in this
area.
✔✔Proper administration of intramuscular injection - ✔✔Wash your hands using proper
technique. Collect
gloves, alcohol wipes, syringe with needle, vial or
ampule of medication, bandage strip, sharps container,
and the patient's chart.
For adults: Give injections of 2 to 5 mL. Any dose 4
mL or above should be divided and administered as two
injections. The needle size should be 22 gauge and 1 to
1-1.2 inched long, depending upon the size of the
patient. Examine the medication to assess the
viscosity. A larger gauge needle may be required for
viscous medications. Remember that the smaller the
number of the gauge, the larger is the gauge of the
needle.
For children: Injections should not exceed 1 mL for
young children because the vasts lateralis muscle is
very small. The needle size should be 25 gauge and 1
,inch long, depending upon the size of the child.
Check to ensure that the medication matches the physician's
order and calculate the dosage, if needed. Look up information
relating to the medication's function, usual doses, and side
effects. Also check for patient allergies by both asking the
patient and reviewing the chart. Remember the six rights of
medication administration.
Check the medication label a second time against the
physician's order.
Identify the patient and escort him or her to the treatment area.
Select the site for the injection on the patient. Common sites are the deltoid, vasts
lateralis of the thigh, dorsogluteal, and ventral gluteal muscles. The vasts lateralis is
used in children under 3 years old. The dorsogluteal site is not used until the child has
been walking for at least one year.
Put on gloves using appropriate technique.
Loosen the cap of the needle so that you can drop the cap on the counter just before
you withdraw medication from the vial or ampule.
Clean the skin site with an alcohol wipe and allow it to thoroughly air dry.
Withd
✔✔Proper Administration of a Z-Track Injection - ✔✔Step 1: Wash Hands and Gather
Equipment
Wash your hands using proper technique. Collect gloves, alcohol wipes, tuberculin
syringe with needle, vial or ampule of medication, bandage strip, sharps container, and
the patient's chart.
Step 2: Check Medication Order
Check to ensure that the medication matches the physician's order and calculate the
dosage, if needed. Look up information relating to the medication's function, usual
doses, and side effects. Also check for patient allergies by both asking the patient and
reviewing the chart. Remember the six rights of medication administration.
Step 3: Check Medication Label
Check the medication label a second time against the physician's order.
Step 4: Identify Patient
Identify the patient and escort him or her to the treatment area.
, Step 5: Select Site
Select the site for the injection on the patient. The dorsogluteal site is preferred for the
Z-track method. The ventral gluteal and vasts lateralis sites can also be used.
Step 6: Put on Gloves
Put on gloves using the proper technique.
Step 7: Loosen Cap
Loosen the cap of the needle so that you can drop the cap on the counter just before
you withdraw medication from the vial or ampule.
Step 8: Clean Site
Clean the skin site with an alcohol wipe and allow it to thoroughly air dry.
Step 9: Withdraw Medication
Withdraw the correct dose of medication. If you are not administering the medication
immediately, cover the needle by sliding the cap onto the needle. If you are
administering the medication immediately, do not recap the needle.
Step 10: Check Medication to Order
Check a third time to match the medication against the physician's order. If you doubt
the function of the medication, the dosage or route of administration, or the possibility of
an allergic reaction, immediately consult the physician.
Step 11: Insert N
✔✔Properly Withdrawing Medication from an Ampule - ✔✔Step 1: Wash Hands and
Gather Equipment
Wash your hands using proper technique, You will need a sterile filter needle/syringe
set, the ampule of medication, sterile gauze 2x4s or 4x4s or a safety ampule breaker,
alcohol wipes, gloves, a sharps container, and the patient chart.
Step 2: Check
Medication Order
Each time you administer medication, check that the medication matches the
physician's order. Look up information relating to the medication's function, usual doses,
and side effects. Check the patient allergies
Step 3: Check Medication Label
Check the medication label a second time against the physician's order. Make sure the
medication is correct. Check the expiration date and inspect the ampule to
ensure it is not damaged. Follow the six rights of medication administration.
Step 4: Identify Patient and Put on Gloves
