COA Study Guide Exam 2026 Questions and Answers | Latest Updated | 100% Pass

COA Study Guide Exam 2026 Questions and Answers | Latest Updated | 100% Pass Name the nine components of the ophthalmic history. - answer-Chief complaint, present illness, past ocular history, ocular medications, general medical and surgical history, systemic medications, allergies, social history, and family history. Why is it important to specifically ask a patient about the medications they are taking? - answerBecause certain medications may affect the eyes. What is the proper response to a patient's request from the ophthalmic technician for medical advice or a diagnosis? - answer-Refer the patient to the ophthalmologist What is the term used for the reason for the patient's visit? - answer-Chief complaint What elements are important in social history taking? - answer-Smoking, alcohol, and drug use Prior use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents is part of a patient's ________. - answer-Past ocular history Pertinent family history of a patient should include which relatives? - answer-Parents, grandparents, and genetic siblings A patient describing an experience of getting hives after taking sulfa drugs is providing information about __________. - answer-An allergic reactionWhat is the term for the spasmodic, rhythmic dilating, and contracting pupillary movements during pupil function testing? - answer-Hippus What is the name of the test used for detecting a relative afferent pupillary defect? - answerSwinging flashlight test Which muscle of the iris constricts in bright light? - answer-Sphincter What is pupil dilation termed? - answer-Mydriasis What is the term used when there is a difference in pupil size? - answer-Anisocoria What is pupillometry? - answer-The measurement of pupillary diameters. What is the name of the reflexive reaction that occurs when a light is directed into one pupil and the pupil of the opposite eye simultaneously reacts - answer-Consensual pupillary reaction Calibration of the applanation tonometer should be checked approximately every _____ months. - answer-Two (or sooner with regular use) When cleaning the goniolens, what is uses to rinse off the methycellulose? - answer-Warm running water When replacing a light bulb _____ can diminish its effectiveness and life. - answer-Oil from fingers Diagnostic lenses that contact the eye can be sterilized using? - answer-Ethylene Oxide gasHow should the removable glass slides inside the American Optical acuity projector be cleaned? - answer-Wipe with clean, soft lint-free towel or photographic lens paper If dust accumulates on the mirror of the slit lamp, the technician may clean it by using what cleaning methods? - answer-A lint-free cloth, a lens brush, or a blast of air Who should repair and maintain equipment such as a laser? - answer-A qualified service technician. Which accessories are used to check the calibration of an ophthalmometer/keratometer? - answer-Three test balls made of steel also called "Lensco Meter" What should be used to clean the accessible lenses of a phoropter? - answer-Photographic lens cleaner and lens tissue What size letters (optotypes) are typically used to calibrate visual acuity projectors? - answer- 20/200 What is the name of the instrument used to neutralize lenses? - answer-Lensometer (Lensmeter) When recording prism in a spectacle Rx, what does the abbreviation BO stand for? - answerBase out What is determined by focusing the thin lines in a manual lensometer? - answer-The sphere of the spectacle Rx is determined by the thin lines. What is the first step in performing lensometry? - answer-Focus the eyepiece.If you cannot center the thick and thin lines in the lensometer, the lens has _______. - answerGround-in prism. Each black ring seen in the lensometer eyepiece reticle measures how much prism? - answer-1 diopter for each ring When performing lensometry, what is indicated if both thin and wide lines are in focus at the same time? - answer-The lens is spherical. What is the technique used to measure the radius of curvature of the anterior corneal surface? - answer-A-Scan Keratometry Length Measurements Keratometry is performed with a device called a ______. - answer-Keratometer or ophthalmometer Give three examples in which a keratometry measurement would be useful. - answer-Contact lens fitting, refractive surgery, intra ocular lens calculations, keratoconus Keratometry is measured in _______. - answer-Diopters An unfocused eyepiece can lead to an error of _______. - answer-1 diopter in the K reading How many meridians are measured in keratometry? - answer-2 meridians (usually 90 degrees apart) The average K reading is _____. - answer-43 to 44 dioptersKeratometry measures the _______ of the anterior curvature of the cornea. - answer-Central 3.3 mm The diffusion of oxygen through a contact lens material is referred to as _______. - answer-DK value True or false: The application and evaluation of diagnostic lens on the eye is the best way to fit a contact lens. - answer-True Name the instrument used to determine the posterior surface radius of curvature of the rigid contact lens? - answer-Radiuscope and or Contacto Gauge Name three reasons to dispense a therapeutic bandage contact lens. - answer-To protect cornea from eyelids and eyelashes, to promote corneal healing, to provide comfort, to stop wound leaks, to improve vision, or for drug delivery. Name two measurements required to fit a contact lens. - answer-Refraction and K-reading (keratometry) Overwear of contact lenses may result in insufficient oxygen to the cornea called _______. - answer-Hypoxia Ophthalmia What are Ethics? - answer-Moral Principles and values that govern individual behavior What must ophthalmic medical assistants abide by? - answer-The laws of the state in which their employer practices and under the service of a licensed ophthalmologist Attempting to work independently of an ophthalmologist is considered _______. - answerPracticing medicine without a licenseWhat should an ophthalmic practice have in place to meet legal compliance? - answer-A compliance officer, policies and procedures What is HIPAA? - answer-Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act What does HIPAA protect? - answer-The dissemination of specific patient information What is coding? - answer-The application of numerical designations for medical diagnosis, procedures, and services What is the assessment of the use of services by a practice institution, clinic, or individual physician? - answer-Utilization review Complete the statement: "If it isn't documented, _____." - answer-It didn't happen What is ICD - 9 - CM? - answer-International Classification of diseases, ninth revision, clinical modification What important process is documented when the physician or physician delegate educates the patient on the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a surgical procedure and asks for the patient's understanding and participation in the decision making process? - answer-Informed consent As an ophthalmic assistant, you will record your findings in what legal document? - answer-The patient's medical record How should an ophthalmic assistant treat all patients? - answer-With dignity and respectThe common causes of eye infections are _______, _______, and _______. - answer-Bacterial, viral, and fungal _______ are used to determine the sensitivity of organisms to certain drugs so that effective therapy can be carried out. - answer-Cultures _______ is a major contributing factor in contracting the parasitic organism Acanthamoeba - answer-Contact lens wear Universal precautions are mandated by OSHA but were developed by the _______. - answerU.S. Centers for Disease Control Washing hands between patients is one example of _______. - answer-Universal Precautions Drainage of topical drops from the eye and their systemic absorption can be prevented by _______? - answer-Punctal occlusion What medications are used as topical anesthetics? - answer-Proparacaine or tetracaine What is the color of bottle caps of prostaglandins? - answer-Teal What are the classifications of the three large groups of anti-infective agents? - answerAntibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals A true allergic reaction can involve what symptoms? - answer-Itching, rash, difficulty breathing, weak or rapid pulse _______ drugs induce contraction of the iris sphincter. - answer-Miotic