Mixed Deck — All RMA Topics Flashcards

A client in her early 70s wants to hold 100% bonds for safety. Which concept BEST explains why this extreme conservative allocation could actually increase her retirement risk?

Answer: Inflation risk eroding the purchasing power of fixed income returns over a 20+ year horizon

A 100% bond portfolio is highly vulnerable to inflation risk, as fixed income returns may not keep pace with rising prices over a long retirement horizon.

What is a "tickler" system used for?

Answer: To remind patients of appointments

A 'tickler' system is a reminder system used in medical offices to prompt action on a future date. Its primary function is to ensure that important tasks, such as reminding patients of upcoming appointments or scheduling follow-up care, are not overlooked. This helps maintain patient compliance and efficient office operations.

The median effective dose of a drug is also known as…?

Answer: ED50

The median effective dose, or ED50, is a pharmacological term that refers to the dose of a drug that produces a therapeutic effect in 50% of the population taking it. It is a common measure of a drug's potency and is used to compare the effectiveness of different drugs. This metric helps in determining appropriate dosing for patients.

How does a Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategy benefit an employee with highly appreciated employer stock in a 401(k) plan?

Answer: It permits the appreciation to be taxed at long-term capital gains rates rather than ordinary income rates upon distribution

NUA allows the appreciation on employer stock distributed in kind from a qualified plan to be taxed at preferential long-term capital gains rates instead of ordinary income rates.

What is the best practice for managing medical office appointments?

Answer: Keep a detailed and organized scheduling system to manage appointments effectively

An organized scheduling system is fundamental for efficient medical office operations. It minimizes patient wait times, optimizes provider availability, reduces no-shows, and ensures a smooth workflow, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and the overall productivity of the practice.

If the right arm and left arm electrodes are accidentally reversed, lead I will typically show:

Answer: An inverted (upside-down) P-QRS-T

Reversing arm leads inverts the deflections in lead I, a classic sign of limb-lead reversal.

What is the normal pH range of human blood?

Answer: 7.35–7.45

Blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH of 7.35 to 7.45.

The principle of 'do no harm' in the context of retirement advice most directly relates to:

Answer: Ensuring recommendations do not leave clients worse off than before the engagement

'Do no harm' means the adviser's guidance should not cause financial, psychological, or situational harm to the client's retirement outlook.

What does the term 'pharmacokinetics' describe in relation to drug therapy?

Answer: How the body processes a drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)

Pharmacokinetics describes what the BODY does to a drug — the four processes of absorption (into the bloodstream), distribution (throughout the body), metabolism (chemical transformation), and excretion (elimination).

A retired client receives all income from a single-life pension with no survivor benefit. If the pensioner dies, the spouse receives nothing. Which risk does this expose the surviving spouse to MOST directly?

Answer: Survivor income risk

Survivor income risk occurs when a surviving spouse loses a significant income stream, potentially leaving them unable to cover living expenses.

During an ECG test you should monitor the patient's…?

Answer: All of these

During an ECG test, it is crucial to monitor the patient's overall condition, which includes their breathing, heart rate, and temperature. While the ECG specifically measures electrical activity of the heart, changes in these other vital signs can indicate patient discomfort, anxiety, or potential complications. Comprehensive monitoring ensures patient safety and helps interpret the ECG results in context.

The 'point of service' field on a claim links a procedure to its:

Answer: Supporting diagnosis

Linking a procedure to the correct diagnosis demonstrates medical necessity for the service.

When performing a visual acuity test using a Snellen chart, a patient reads the 20/40 line but not the 20/30 line. How is this documented and what does it mean?

Answer: 20/40 vision; the patient sees at 20 feet what a normal eye sees at 40 feet

In Snellen notation, 20/40 means the patient must stand at 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see from 40 feet away, indicating reduced acuity.

An RMA who uses social media to advertise services must ensure that posts are:

Answer: Accurate, not misleading, and compliant with applicable advertising regulations

Advertising standards require that all marketing content—including social media—be accurate, not misleading, and consistent with regulatory requirements.

What is the correct way to care for a nosebleed (epistaxis) in a seated patient?

Answer: Lean the head forward and pinch the soft part of the nose

Leaning forward and pinching the soft nostrils prevents blood from being swallowed and controls bleeding.

How can an RMA reduce the risk of infection during patient care?

Answer: By performing hand hygiene and using sterile techniques

Infection prevention is paramount in healthcare. RMAs significantly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections by consistently practicing proper hand hygiene, such as handwashing or using alcohol-based sanitizers, and by adhering to sterile techniques during procedures. These practices break the chain of infection and protect both patients and healthcare workers.

Which of the following BEST describes a 'liability-matching' approach to retirement portfolio construction?

Answer: Structuring assets to fund specific anticipated future cash flows

Liability-matching (or liability-driven investing) aligns portfolio assets with specific projected future liabilities, such as retirement income needs.

In putting a patient into the lithotomy position for examination, how should they be positioned?

Answer: On their back, heels above hips

The lithotomy position is commonly used for gynecological, urological, and rectal examinations or procedures. In this position, the patient lies on their back (supine) with their legs separated, thighs flexed, and feet placed in stirrups, which elevates the heels above the level of the hips. This positioning provides optimal access to the perineal and pelvic areas.

In a Monte Carlo simulation for retirement income planning, increasing the number of simulations primarily improves which aspect of the analysis?

Answer: The statistical reliability and convergence of probability estimates

More simulation paths reduce sampling error and produce more stable probability-of-success estimates.

A client has both a pension (defined benefit plan) and a 401(k). Which retirement income planning concept describes using the pension as a 'floor' of guaranteed income?

Answer: Floor-and-upside (or flooring) approach

The floor-and-upside approach uses guaranteed income sources (pension, Social Security, annuities) to cover essential expenses, while investment portfolios fund discretionary spending.