Clinical Procedures and Skills Flashcards
6 cards from real RMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Clinical Procedures and Skills flashcards as text
When performing a 12-lead ECG, which electrode is placed on the right leg?
Answer: RL (reference/ground electrode)
The right leg electrode serves as the ground (reference) electrode in the standard 12-lead ECG configuration, minimizing electrical interference in the tracing.
Which position places the patient flat on their back with legs elevated in stirrups, used primarily for gynecological examinations?
Answer: Lithotomy position
The lithotomy position has the patient supine with hips and knees flexed and feet placed in stirrups, providing optimal access for pelvic and gynecological examinations.
A patient's blood pressure is measured at 148/94 mmHg on two separate visits. According to current guidelines, this would be classified as:
Answer: Stage 2 hypertension
According to the ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, Stage 2 hypertension is defined as a systolic of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic of 90 mmHg or higher, confirmed on two separate readings.
When assisting with a sterile dressing change, the medical assistant accidentally touches the sterile field with an ungloved hand. What is the correct action?
Answer: Inform the physician and set up a new sterile field
Any breach of sterile technique, no matter how brief, compromises the sterile field; the correct response is to stop, discard contaminated supplies, and set up a fresh sterile field.
Which of the following is the correct site for administering an intramuscular (IM) injection in an adult when a large muscle volume is needed and the deltoid is contraindicated?
Answer: Ventrogluteal (lateral hip)
The ventrogluteal site (gluteus medius) is now the preferred IM injection site for adults requiring large volumes because it is free of major nerves and vessels and has less subcutaneous fat than the dorsogluteal site.
During a urinary catheterization procedure, after the catheter is inserted and urine begins to flow, what is the NEXT step?
Answer: Advance the catheter 1–2 inches further before inflating the balloon
After urine flow begins, the catheter should be advanced an additional 1–2 inches to ensure the balloon is fully inside the bladder (not in the urethra) before inflation.