A prescription sig reads 'one capsule BID.' How often should the patient take the medication?
A. Four times a day
B. Once a day
C. Twice a day
D. Three times a day
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: C. Twice a day
Correct. BID stands for bis in die, twice a day.
- A: Four times a day is QID.
- B: Once a day would be written daily or qd, though qd is on many do-not-use lists.
- D: Three times a day is TID.
Source: AMT RMA: I.B Medical Terminology
The term osteomyelitis refers to:
A. Inflammation of skeletal muscle
B. Inflammation of a joint
C. Inflammation of the spinal cord
D. Inflammation of bone and bone marrow
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: D. Inflammation of bone and bone marrow
Correct. Oste/o means bone, myel/o here means marrow, and -itis means inflammation; osteomyelitis is usually a bone infection.
- A: Inflammation of skeletal muscle is myositis.
- B: Inflammation of a joint is arthritis.
- C: Inflammation of the spinal cord is myelitis; the oste/o root points to bone.
Source: AMT RMA: I.B Medical Terminology
A urology patient is scheduled for a cystoscopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the:
A. Urinary bladder
B. Prostate gland
C. Kidney
D. Ureter
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: A. Urinary bladder
Correct. Cyst/o means bladder and -scopy means visual examination, so cystoscopy views the inside of the bladder.
- B: The prostate is examined by digital rectal exam or imaging, not cystoscopy, though the scope passes near it.
- C: Visual examination of the kidney interior would be nephroscopy.
- D: Examination of the ureter is ureteroscopy.
Source: AMT RMA: I.B Medical Terminology
A patient rolls up a sleeve and extends an arm when the medical assistant approaches with a blood pressure cuff. This is an example of:
A. Informed consent
B. Implied consent
C. Expressed written consent
D. Emergency consent
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: B. Implied consent
Correct. Implied consent is shown by the patient's actions rather than words, as with extending an arm for a blood pressure reading.
- A: Informed consent involves a provider explaining a procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives before the patient agrees; that does not apply to routine vital signs.
- C: Written consent is a signed document, which is not needed for a routine blood pressure.
- D: Emergency consent applies when a patient is unable to consent and treatment cannot wait.
Source: AMT RMA: I.C Medical Law and Ethics
Before a minor surgical procedure, who is responsible for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient so that consent is informed?
A. The patient's insurance case manager
B. The front office staff member who obtains the signature
C. The provider who will perform the procedure
D. The medical assistant who prepares the tray
Show answer and reasoning
Correct answer: C. The provider who will perform the procedure
Correct. The provider performing the procedure is legally responsible for the informed consent discussion.
- A: The insurer has no role in obtaining clinical consent.
- B: Front office staff can hand the form to the patient but cannot provide the medical explanation.
- D: The medical assistant may witness the signature and reinforce information but is not licensed to explain risks and alternatives.
Source: AMT RMA: I.C Medical Law and Ethics
