Infection Control
This is the single most effective practice for preventing the spread of infection in a clinical enviorment.
What is hand hygiene
This common medical suffix means "inflammation."
What is -itis?
This position places the patient flat on their back.
What is supine position?
This is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult in beats per minute.
What is 60–100 bpm?
This common abbreviation refers to a type of injection delivered directly into a vein.
What is IV?
This device uses uses moist heat under pressure to completely sterilize surgical instruments, killing all microbial life including spores.
What is an autoclave?
This tiny, U-shaped bone located in the neck is unique because it does not connect with any other bone.
What is the hyoid bone?
Before any procedure, a medical assistant should first verify this.
What is patient identity?
The medical term for a body temperature that is above the normal range.
What is hyperthermia (or fever)?
This layer of fatty tissue just beneath the skin is the typical site for insulin administration.
What is subcutaneous tissue?
When opening a sterile surgical pack, this is the direction the very first out flap should be opened.
What is away from you?
This symptom, frequently associated with diabetes mellitus, is the medical term for excessive or extreme thirst.
What is polydipsia?
This procedure measures electrical activity of the heart.
What is an EKG/ECG?
This is the normal adult respiratory rate, usually measured in breaths per minute.
What is 12–20?
This type of injection is delivered deep into muscle tissue, often in the deltoid or gluteal regions.
What is intramuscular?
This term refers to the practice of reducing the number of organisms and preventing their spread, also known as "clean technique".
What is medical asepsis?
This hormone, stored and released by the posterior pituitary gland, stimulates uterine contractions during labor.
What is oxytocin?
This term means taking a patient’s medical history.
What is anamnesis/history taking?
This specific type of blood pressure is recorded when the heart muscle is contracting.
What is systolic pressure?
This shallow injection method is frequently used for allergy testing or tuberculosis skin tests.
What is intradermal?
This specific width around the outer edge of a sterile drape or tray is considered contaminated and non-sterile.
What is a 1-inch border?
Located in the medial wall of each orbital cavity, these thin, fragile bones form part of the tear duct system.
What are the lacrimal bones?
This emergency procedure helps restore breathing and circulation.
What is CPR?
Often considered the "fifth vital sign," this non-invasive tool measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood.
What is a pulse oximeter?
This term describes the hollow diameter of a needle; a higher number indicates a thinner needle.
What is the gauge?