An area of the appointment matrix that is blocked out may indicate all of the following except:

Question:

Which of the following types of scheduling allows for the most efficient use of staff, materials, and facilities?

Answer:

Grouping....Grouping is the practice of scheduling patients with the same type of examination (e.g., complete physicals), conditions (e.g., pregnancy), or procedures (e.g., Papanicolaou [Pap] smears) within a certain time frame.

Question:

What piece of mail should be placed on top when sorting the physician's mail?

Answer:

Envelope marked Personal.....Incoming mail should be sorted according to importance and urgency. The order of importance is the physician's personal mail, ordinary first-class mail, periodicals and newspapers, and lastly, all other pieces.

Question:

Open punctuation is characterized by

Answer:

Absence of punctuation after the salutation and a comma after the complimentary close.....Open punctuation style uses no punctuation at the end of any line outside of the body of the letter unless the line ends with an abbreviation. This type of punctuation is used with the simplified block letter style.

Question:

The federal insurance program that provides for the medically indigent is

Answer:

Medicaid.....Medicaid is a federally funded insurance program that was set up by the federal government in 1965 to provide for the medically indigent. It is regulated by each state.

Question:

The process of transferring an amount from the day sheet to the ledger is

Answer:

Posting.....Posting is the transfer of information from one record to another. Transactions are posted from the day sheet to the ledger.

Question:

A numeric filing system requires the use of

Answer:

An alphabetical cross-reference.....Numeric filing involves filing records, correspondence, or cards by number. It is an indirect filing system and requires the use of an alphabetical cross-reference to find a given file.

Question:

The file folder label for Jennie Holmes-Mathis should be

Answer:

Holmes-Mathis, Jennie.....Hyphenated elements of a name, whether first name, middle name, or surname, are considered as one unit.

Question:

Third-party participation in an office indicates the relationships among the

Answer:

Physician, patient, and insurance company......A third-party payer is some entity other than the patient, spouse, or parent who is responsible for paying all or part of the patient's medical costs.

Question:

A claim may be rejected by an insurance company because of the omission of

Answer:

If a claim form is not sufficiently detailed, complete, and accurate, the insurance company may reject the claim. Reasons for claim rejection might include missing or incomplete diagnosis; incorrectly coded diagnosis; charges not itemized; patient's group, member, or policy number missing; patient signature missing; patient's date of birth missing; dates missing or incorrect; and physician's signature missing.

Question:

How much postage is required for a first-class letter that weighs 3 oz if the first ounce costs $0.34 and each additional ounce is $0.25?

Answer:

$0.84 RATIONALE: The first ounce would cost $0.34, and the two additional ounces would total $0.50 ($0.34 + $0.50 = $0.84).

Question:

When the word Confidential is to be typed on the envelope, it should be placed

Answer:

Below the return address.....Any notation on the envelope directed toward the addressee, such as Personal or Confidential, should be typed and underlined on the third line below the return address. It should be aligned with the return address on the left edge of the envelope.

Question:

The most formal of complimentary closings is

Answer:

Very truly yours RATIONALE: The complimentary close is the writer's way of saying goodbye. The words used are determined by the formality used in the salutation.

Question:

When making an appointment, which of the following is not needed?
A. Patient's name
B. Telephone number
C. Reason for visit
D. Insurance information
E. Availability

Answer:

Insurance information RATIONALE: The patient's insurance information is obtained at the time of the visit to the office. Necessary information includes the patient's name, telephone number, reason for coming to the office, and times available for the appointment.

Question:

This type of phone call allows more than one person in more than one place to talk simultaneously.

Answer:

Conference call RATIONALE: A conference call allows more than two people to participate in a conversation at one time. Each person can hear or talk to all others who are participating.

Question:

This procedure protects against the loss of data

Answer:

Backing up RATIONALE: A backup is a tape or disk for storage of files to prevent their loss in the event of hard drive failure.

Question:

A tickler file is

Answer:

Future events arranged in chronologic order RATIONALE: A tickler file is a chronologic file used as a reminder that something must be done on a certain date. This type of file is frequently used as a follow-up method.

Question:

All of the following would require a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code except

Answer:

Diarrhea RATIONALE: CPT is a listing of descriptive terms and identifying codes used for reporting medical services and procedures performed by the physician. All of the choices are procedures except diarrhea.

Question:

Which of the following characteristics of a receptionist might make an impression on a patient?
A. Appearance
B. Professionalism
C. Manners
D. Attitude
E. All of the above

Answer:

All of the above RATIONALE: The receptionist is usually the first person in the medical office with whom the patient has contact. The appearance, professionalism, attitude, and manners of the receptionist, as well as the appearance of the reception area as a whole, can influence the patient's perception of the entire practice.

Question:

A direction to consider additional codes is:
A. NEC
B. NOS
C. See also
D. See condition
E. See category

Answer:

See also RATIONALE: See also is the coding convention that gives the direction to the coder to consider another code.

Question:

A V code

Answer:

Refers to factors that influence health status RATIONALE: V codes (V01 through V82) are codes referring to factors that influence health status. A definite diagnosis is not stated, but a valid reason for seeking medical care exists. Reasons can include annual physical examinations, well-baby checks, and preoperative physicals. These codes are part of the ICD-9-CM coding system.

Question:

Mail that is opened accidentally should be

Answer:

Resealed with tape and noted as opened in error RATIONALE: All offices should have a procedure to follow regarding incoming mail. Personal mail should be left unopened. Should it be opened in error, fold and replace it inside the envelope, reseal the envelope, and write across the outside opened in error followed by the opener's initials.

Question:

Which of the following are Evaluation and Management (E&M) descriptors?
A. Physical examination
B. School physical
C. Well-baby check-up
D. Preoperative physical
E. All of the above

Answer:

All of the above RATIONALE: E&M descriptors include basic diagnostic and treatment services such as office visits and physical examinations. These descriptors are part of the CPT coding system.

Question:

Which is an example of a third-party payer?
A. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
B. Medicare
C. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
D. Patient's spouse
E. Patient's parent

Answer:

Medicare RATIONALE: A third-party payer is any person, insurance company, or government agent other than the patient or the patient's family who pays the patient's account.

Question:

In the problem-oriented medical record (POMR) system, the initial database includes

Answer:

A numbered list of present problems RATIONALE: The POMR system is designed to organize the patient's medical record and the information it contains. The system uses four parts: (1) the database, (2) the problem list, (3) the treatment plan, and (4) the progress notes. The database includes the chief complaint, present illness or illnesses, and the patient profile.

Question:

A trial balance is a comparison of

Answer:

Ledger card totals and account-receivable balance RATIONALE: A trial balance is a method of checking the accuracy of accounts. It should be done once a month after all posting has been completed and before preparing monthly statements. The purpose of a trial balance is to disclose any discrepancies between the ledger cards and accounts receivable. It does not prove the accuracy of the accounts.

Question:

When adding information to the medical record, new notes are added

Answer:

Newest to the front RATIONALE: The medical record is a chronologic system for recording a patient's medical care. Its continuity ensures the best medical care. By filing the most current information to the front, it provides a quick current reference of the patient's care and management.

Question:

Which of the following calls require immediate transfer to the physician?

Answer:

Another physician RATIONALE: The person answering the telephone is expected to screen all incoming calls. Good judgment in deciding whether to put through a call comes with experience. Calls from other physicians should be put through at once if the physician is available to take the call.

Question:

Appointments should be scheduled

Answer:

In consecutive order without large gaps RATIONALE: Appointment scheduling is the process that determines which patients will be seen by the provider, dates and times of the appointments, and how much time will be allotted to each patient based on the complaint and the availability of the provider. Most providers find that efficient scheduling and time management is one of the most important factors in the success of the practice.

Question:

Which is not part of basic information obtained at the patient's first visit?
A. Insurance information
B. Name, address, and telephone number
C. Nameof person who referred the patient
D. Business address and business telephone number
E. Diagnosis

Answer:

Diagnosis RATIONALE: At an initial visit, the patient's diagnosis may not be made. At the first visit, the patient may complete a patient information form that will include name, address, telephone number, insurance information, business information, and referral information.

Question:

Standard-size paper and envelope for business correspondence is

Answer:

8½ × 11; no. 10 envelope RATIONALE: A standard-size letter (8½ in × 11 in) is used for general business and professional correspondence. Standard ways of folding and inserting letters are used so the letter fits properly and is easy to remove. A size no. 10 envelope is used for a standard-size letter.

Question:

Patient's ledger cards should be kept

Answer:

In a separate ledger file RATIONALE: A ledger card is prepared for each patient (or family) at the time of the first visit. It is the record of all charges and payments for each patient and is kept in a separate file for ease of access and billing purposes.

Question:

The bank statement is reconciled with
A. The checkbook
B. The day sheet
C. Accounts receivable
D. The payment record
E. Both A and D

Answer:

The checkbook RATIONALE: A bank statement is periodically sent by the bank to the customer. It shows the status of the account on a given date. The bank statement balance and the checkbook balance should be the same or they will need to be reconciled (disclosure of any errors in the checkbook or bank statement).

Question:

The record of the proceedings of a meeting is the

Answer:

Minutes RATIONALE: The record of the proceedings of a meeting is called the minutes. The minutes contain a record of what was done at a meeting, not what was said by the members. Minutes should be signed by the secretary and kept on file according to the procedure of the organization.

Question:

Which of the following protects data from loss?

Answer:

Backing up RATIONALE: Backing up is the process of using a tape, floppy disk, or compact disk for storage of files to prevent their loss in the event of hard drive failure.

Question:

The scheduling system based on scheduling similar appointments or procedures together is called

Answer:

Grouping RATIONALE: Grouping or clustering allows the provider to make good use of time by seeing patients with the same needs at the same time. An example of grouping may be that the provider only performs complete physical examinations on Wednesday mornings.

Question:

Appropriate information to include in a patient information brochure would be

Answer:

Information about the scope of the practice RATIONALE: Each office should have an attractive brochure that can be used to welcome new patients and to furnish general information about the practice. This brochure can include name and type of practice; name or names of physicians; address and location map; appointment procedures; office hours; comments on billing, charges, and insurance; and a statement concerning the confidentiality of medical records. Any more specific information should be discussed with the appropriate person.

Question:

A new employee must complete which of the following?

Answer:

W-4 Form RATIONALE: The W-4 Form is the Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. It is filled out by the employee and allows him or her to determine the number of withholding allowances.

Question:

Which of the following abbreviations is not correct?
A. pH
B. mEq
C. PKU
D. HGB
E. Kg

Answer:

HGB RATIONALE: The correct abbreviation for hemoglobin is Hgb.

Question:

Patient information that is released without patient's authorization might result in legal charge of

Answer:

Invasion of privacy RATIONALE: Invasion of privacy is the act of divulging patient information that has been acquired through privileged interaction (provider-patient communication) without the consent of the patient, which is an intentional tort. Information shared between the provider and the patient is confidential. A release of information form must be signed before this information can be shared.

Question:

A correctly addressed envelope includes
A. Omission of all punctuation
B. Periods after abbreviation
C. Periods after initials
D. Comma between city and state
E. Comma between street name and numbers

Answer:

Omission of all punctuation RATIONALE: The U.S. Postal Service attempts to read, code, sort, and cancel all mail electronically. The success of this system depends on the correct format that can be read by the automatic equipment. This format includes all addresses typed in block format in the correct area of the envelope, everything in the address capitalized, all punctuation eliminated, states abbreviated using the standard two-letter code, and the ZIP code must be included in the last line.

Question:

Which of the following circumstances would waive the need for a written release of medical records?
A. Requested from other practices
B. A subpoena
C. Attorney request
D. Hospital request
E. Insurance company request

Answer:

A subpoena RATIONALE: A subpoena duces tecum is an order to provide records or documents to the court. Authority to release information from the medical record lies solely with the patient unless required by law.

Question:

In double-entry bookkeeping, the original entry is put onto the

Answer:

Daily log RATIONALE: The double-entry system provides a comprehensive picture of the medical practice and its effect on the physician's net worth. It requires skill and time and is not frequently used in a small practice. The medical assistant generally maintains only the daily log.

Question:

The correct way to indicate an enclosure notation is

Answer:

Enclosure RATIONALE: The enclosure notation identifies any material that may be accompanying the correspondence. The notation is placed two lines below the signature line. If more than one enclosure is included, then specify the number (e.g., Enclosures 2).

Question:

A superbill provides which of the following?

Answer:

Insurance claim RATIONALE: A superbill is a combination charge slip, statement, and insurance reporting form. It is completed and given to the patient at each visit.

Question:

Which of the following is the purpose of records management?

Answer:

Complete and accurate records are essential to a well-managed medical practice. Health information management includes not only the assembling of the record, but also having an efficient system for saving, retrieving, protecting, transferring, storing, retaining, and destroying these records.

Question:

Which coding system is not associated with medical procedures?
A. CPT
B. International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM)
C. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
D. Relative value scale (RVS)
E. Resource-based RVS (RBRVS)

Answer:

International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) RATIONALE: ICD-9-CM is the coding system used to code diagnosis or disease conditions. CPT, HCPCS, RVS, and RBRVS are systems used to code medical procedures.

Question:

Which is not an indexing rule?
A. Unit 1 is the surname
B. A hyphen is disregarded
C. Initials come before complete names
D. Apostrophes are disregarded
E. Names are divided into units

Answer:

Initials come before complete names RATIONALE: Indexing rules are standardized and are based on current business practices. The rule that applies to initials states, "that initials precede a name beginning with the same letter." For example, the chart for M. Johnson would be filed before the chart for Mary Johnson.

Question:

ICD-9-CM codes that refer to factors that may influence the patient's health status are

Answer:

V codes RATIONALE: V codes (V01 to V82) are the codes that refer to factors that influence the health status of the patient. A definite diagnosis cannot be stated, but a valid reason for seeing the provider exists (e.g., well-baby check-up, annual physical examination).

Question:

The smallest piece of information that the computer can process is a(n)

Answer:

Bit RATIONALE: A bit is a binary digit. It is the smallest piece of information that can be processed by a computer.

Question:

The index of files on a disk is the

Answer:

Directory RATIONALE: The directory is the index of files on a disk. It shows the names of the documents that are saved on that disk. The operator can choose a file in a directory and open it.

Question:

The appointment system of the office should take into account the needs of the

Answer:

The scheduling system chosen by the facility must be individualized for each specific practice. Important factors that determine the best system include patient need, physician preferences and habits, and the facilities available.

Question:

Dear Mrs. May: is an example of
A. Open punctuation
B. Mixed punctuation
C. Block punctuation
D. Semiblock punctuation
E. Modified block

Answer:

Mixed punctuation RATIONALE: Mixed (standard) punctuation is appropriate for use with block or modified block letter styles. It places a colon after the salutation and a comma after the complimentary closing. It is the most commonly used punctuation pattern.

Question:

A master list of equipment inventory includes all of the following except the
A. Date of purchase
B. Cost
C. Operating manuals
D. Estimated life of the piece
E. Description

Answer:

Operating manuals RATIONALE: An inventory of all capital items (equipment) should be prepared every year. For each item, the name, serial number, date of purchase, price, and any warranty information are included. Operating manuals should be kept separate and readily accessible.

Question:

Which of the following hospital records may be released by the authorization of the attending surgeon only?
A. Nurses' notes
B. Operative notes
C. Laboratory reports
D. Radiology reports
E. Billing information

Answer:

Operative notes RATIONALE: Operative notes are considered to be part of the physician's records and can only be released by the physician. Nurse's notes, laboratory reports, radiology reports, and billing are hospital-generated documents and belong to the institution.

Question:

An illness that existed before an insurance policy is written is known as a(n)

Answer:

Preexisting condition RATIONALE: A preexisting condition is a physical condition of a person that existed before the insurance policy was issued.

Question:

A patient has not been seen in the office for 2 years. The patient's record would be found in the

Answer:

Inactive files RATIONALE: Inactive files generally are those of patients whom the provider has not seen for 6 months or longer. When the patient returns for care, his or her chart is moved to the active file.

Question:

An important consideration when deciding how to position the computer monitor at the reception desk is

Answer:

Patient confidentiality RATIONALE: The patient is entitled to complete confidentiality with regards to his or her medical records and release of information. Computer technology allows for the gathering and storage of vast amounts of information. This information can then be accessible to a variety of individuals. The monitor displays information and should be positioned away from others that may be at the desk.

Question:

Which group of patients should be escorted to the examination room and given instructions on what they are to do?
A. Children
B. New patients
C. Established patients
D. Older adults
E. All of the above

Answer:

All of the above RATIONALE: All patients should be escorted to the examination or treatment room. All patients are generally more cooperative and less anxious if they understand what is expected of them.

Question:

Which information is not essential for the surgery scheduler when requesting a surgery date?
A. Type of procedure
B. Name of the assisting physician
C. Name of patient
D. Age of patient
E. Telephone number of the patient

Answer:

Name of the assisting physician RATIONALE: Surgery is scheduled by type of procedure and availability of facilities. Important information includes the name of the procedure, expected length of the procedure in hours, type of anesthesia, and the patient's name, age, and telephone number.

Question:

The notation c: Julia Jones, MD means

Answer:

A copy of the letter is sent to Dr. Jones RATIONALE: The copy notation (c:) indicates that a copy of the document was sent to a third party or parties. The notation is placed one to two lines below the enclosure notation.

Question:

A history and physical usually contains all of the following except
A. Results of laboratory tests
B. Reason for the visit
C. Vital signs
D. Review of body systems
E. General appearance of patient

Answer:

Results of laboratory tests RATIONALE: The history and physical are valuable tools in diagnosis. They are a way for the physician to gather information about the physical and psychological condition of the patient. The history is the record of the information provided by the patient. The physical involves a thorough examination of the patient from head to toe. Laboratory tests may be ordered after the physical if needed for diagnosis.

Question:

Under a managed care plan, the physician agrees to

Answer:

Accept predetermined fees RATIONALE: Managed care is a type of prepaid health plan. It was developed to provide health care services at a low cost. Managed care includes Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Independent Practice Associations (IPAs). The traditional HMO builds a group of physicians who agree to be paid on a per-patient basis instead of a fee-for-service basis.

Question:

Which type of insurance organization uses the fee-for-services concept?
A. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
B. Managed care
C. Independent practice association
D. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
E. Medicaid

Answer:

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) RATIONALE: The preferred provider organization uses a fee-for-service concept. Providers agree on a predetermined list of charges for all services. Care is not prepaid. The patient must pay deductibles.

Question:

Which factor is not included when determining the level of service for E&M codes?
A. Cost of services
B. Level of decision making required of the physician
C. Health history of patient
D. Type of examination
E. Type of laboratory tests

Answer:

Cost of services RATIONALE: E&M codes include basic diagnostic and treatment services such as office visits and examinations. The type of history, the type of examination, and the complexity of medical decision making must be determined to select the correct code properly.

Question:

When money is placed in an account, which of the following documents is prepared?

Answer:

Deposit slip RATIONALE: Deposit slips are itemized documents of cash, checks, and other funds that a depositor presents to the bank with the items to be credited to an account. All deposits must be accompanied by a deposit slip. A copy of the slip is kept on file.

Question:

The most common color-coding system color codes the

Answer:

Patient's surname RATIONALE: One system of color-coding files is the alphabetical color-coding system. This system uses different colored tabs to represent a different segment of the alphabet. The chart is coded by the patient's last name (surname).

Question:

Who is the legal owner of the information in a patient's medical record?

Answer:

The patient RATIONALE: The physician owns the medical record, but the patient owns the information contained in the record. Any information concerning the contents of the medical record requires consent from both the patient and the physician before it can be released.

Question:

When preparing the appointment matrix, the first action is to indicate

Answer:

Times not available RATIONALE: To develop the matrix in the appointment book, block out the times the physician or physicians will be unavailable. All else revolves around the physicians' availability

Question:

Scheduling patients with the same medical complaints on the same day is

Answer:

Group scheduling RATIONALE: Grouping is scheduling similar appointments together during a day. For example, all complete physical examinations are scheduled for Friday morning. This type of scheduling is a method of time management.

Question:

A major advantage of using a computer for word processing is

Answer:

Extensive editing capability RATIONALE: The computer, as a document production tool, permits efficient preparation and editing of written documents. Spell checker and column layout are simply added benefits. Storage capacity relates to the computer as a whole and is not specific to word processing.

Question:

Which is not true of certified mail?
A. Insurance coverage is available
B. Receipt of delivery can be obtained for a fee
C. Only first-class mail can be certified
D. Record of delivery is kept by the post office
E. Restricted delivery can be obtained for a fee

Answer:

Insurance coverage is available RATIONALE: Certified mail requires the receiver's signature as proof of delivery and receipt. Any mail in which first-class postage is paid can be accepted as certified mail.

Question:

Which of the following must be sent by first-class mail?
A. Magazines
B. Books
C. Printed materials
D. Personal letters and postcards
E. Equipment catalogs

Answer:

Personal letters and postcards RATIONALE: First-class mail includes sealed or unsealed handwritten or typed material, such as letters, postcards, and business reply mail. A variety of mailing options is available for other materials.

Question:

A Medicare claim for a deceased beneficiary may be paid directly to the physician if

Answer:

The estate is billed RATIONALE: Estate claims are made against the estate of a deceased patient. Once the office receives notification of the patient's death, the office must submit a claim for the unpaid balance to the administrator of the estate. Each state has different rules and regulations concerning the filing of estate claims.

Question:

All checks received as payment for charges should be endorsed

Answer:

Immediately RATIONALE: Endorsement is a signature or writing on the back of a check by which the endorser transfers all rights of the check to another party. All checks received as payments should be restrictively endorsed (for deposit only) immediately to safeguard against loss or theft.

Question:

In an alphabetic file, which is filed first?
A. A. R. Stephenson
B. John Stephenson
C. George Stephens
D. Ann Stephenson-Bailey
E. Andrew Stephen

Answer:

David Roberts, M.D. RATIONALE: The inside address includes the name, title, and address of the receiver. When addressing a letter to a physician, omit the courtesy title, and type the physician's name followed by his or her academic degree.

Question:

Which is not true about a postage meter?
A. It prints its own postage
B. Some can seal the envelope
C. It locks when the postage is used up
D. The mailer leases the machine and purchases the postage
E. A license must be obtained from the post office

Answer:

A license must be obtained from the post office RATIONALE: A postage meter is an efficient way of stamping large amounts of mail. Postage is prepaid and applied directly to the envelope or on adhesive strips. The other choices are all true about postage meters.

Question:

The two-letter abbreviation for Nebraska is

Answer:

NE RATIONALE: The use of standard two-letter abbreviations aids in the reading, coding, sorting, and canceling of the mail. The U.S. Postal Service has issued a list of two-letter state abbreviations to be used with ZIP codes. None of the other choices represent a U.S. state abbreviation.

Question:

Which letter style requires that the complimentary closing and typed signature are placed in line with the left margin of the body of the letter?
A. Block style
B. Semiblock style
C. Full block style
D. Indented style
E. Semi-indented style

Answer:

Full block style RATIONALE: The full block style places all lines flush at the left margin. The other choices vary indentation of the margin or margins.

Question:

Which of the following is not included in a memorandum?
A. Date
B. Subject
C. Complimentary close
D. Writer's name
E. Reference initials

Answer:

Complimentary close RATIONALE: A memorandum is a written communication among persons within an office or organization. It uses guide words that indicate the date, sender, receiver or receivers, and subject.

Question:

The second page of a two-page letter contains which of the following in the heading?

Answer:

Name, page number, and date RATIONALE: The second and continuous pages of a letter or report are placed on plain paper that matches the letterhead in weight, color, and fiber content. The heading of the subsequent pages must contain the name of the addressee, page number, and date.

Question:

The complimentary close of a letter is typed how many lines below the last line of the body?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
E. Ten

Answer:

Two RATIONALE: The complimentary close is placed on the second line below the last line of the body of the letter.

Question:

A fee profile is derived from

Answer:

Physician charges RATIONALE: A fee profile is established by compiling and averaging the usual charges for services of the physician over a given period. This profile is then used to determine the amount of third-party liability.

Question:

Which of the following is demographic information included in a medical record?
A. Present illness
B. Date of birth
C. Laboratory reports
D. X-ray findings
E. Complete physical examination

Answer:

Date of birth RATIONALE: Demographics relate to the statistical characteristics of a population. It includes the name, date of birth, marital status, children, occupation, education, and social information of the patient.

Question:

Which of the following requires an ICD-9-CM code?
A. Proctoscopy
B. Pap smear
C. Appendectomy
D. Irritable bowel syndrome
E. Mastectomy

Answer:

Irritable bowel syndrome RATIONALE: ICD-9-CM assigns numeric codes to diseases, illnesses, injuries, and health-related conditions. The coding system is used to establish medical necessity, to facilitate payment for health care services, and to translate written terminology or descriptions into numbers to provide a universal common language.

Question:

When it is 4:00 PM in New York City, what time is it in Seattle, WA?

Answer:

1:00 PM RATIONALE: The United States is divided into four time zones: (1) Pacific time (WA, OR, NV, and CA), (2) Mountain time (MT, UT, ID, WY, CO, NM, AZ, and parts of ND, SD, NE, and KS), (3) Central time (MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, OK, TX, LA, MS, IL, AL, and parts of TN, KY, ND, SD, NE, and KS), and (4) Eastern time (all others). Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones are 1 or more hours behind Eastern time. Pacific time is 3 hours behind Eastern time; when it is 1:00 Pacific time, it is 4:00 Eastern time.

Question:

Ideally, a telephone should be answered before the

Answer:

Third ring RATIONALE: If possible, the telephone should be answered on the first ring and always by the third ring.

Question:

An E-code in the ICD-9-CM coding system

Answer:

Refers to external causes RATIONALE: An E-code is a classification of ICD-9-CM coding. It is used to describe environmental events, circumstances, and conditions as the external cause of injury, poisoning, and other adverse effects.

Question:

The universal claim form developed by Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is

Answer:

CMS-1500 RATIONALE: The CMS-1500 is a universal claim form developed by the HCFA that standardizes the data required by most insurance carriers to process insurance claims.

Question:

Patients who are always late or who habitually cancel appointments should be scheduled

Answer:

At the end of the day RATIONALE: Patients who are habitually late for appointments should be scheduled at the end of the day so as not to disrupt the workflow.

Question:

An error was made in charting the patient's record. The method used to correct the error is to

Answer:

Draw a single line through the error, write the word error, make the correction, and date and initial the entry RATIONALE: Corrections are made in the medical record by drawing a single line through the error, writing the word error next to it, making the correction, and dating and initialing the correction (SLIDE rule).

Question:

SOAP is an acronym for

Answer:

Problem-oriented progress notes RATIONALE: SOAP is an organized way of charting progress notes. SOAP stands for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan.

Question:

A patient refuses to follow medical advice and the physician decides to terminate the relationship. The letter to the patient should state all of the following except
A. A referral to another physician
B. An offer to make records available
C. That the physician withdraws from the case
D. A future date after which the physician is not available
E. That the patient still needs medical care

Answer:

A referral to another physician RATIONALE: The physician must notify the patient of his or her intention to terminate the relationship to protect the physician against abandonment. The physician is not required to refer to another physician.

Question:

When the medical office works on a fixed appointment schedule and a patient arrives without an appointment requesting to see the physician, the patient

Answer:

Should be squeezed in for a brief visit so the physician can decide what the next treatment step should be RATIONALE: If the patient requires immediate attention, then he or she should be accommodated. If the patient does not need immediate care, then a brief visit with the physician and a scheduled appointment at a later date may be the best policy. The patient should be told that the office runs on an appointment basis.

Question:

If a patient calls to cancel his or her appointment

Answer:

Immediately offer a new appointment time RATIONALE: Attempt to reschedule the appointment while the patient is on the telephone. Patients with advance appointments may fill canceled appointments.

Question:

A good telephone technique is a

Answer:

Low-pitched and expressive voice RATIONALE: The telephone voice should be warm, friendly, and natural. Pronunciation and enunciation should be clear and distinct. A normal tone of voice carries best. Variance in tone brings out the meaning of words and adds vitality to what is said. The other choices present opportunities for disconcertion, confusion, or miscommunication.

Question:

If a patient's account has been turned over to a collection agency and the patient calls about the bill, the patient should be told

Answer:

To deal with the collection agency RATIONALE: After an account has been released to a collection agency, the medical office makes no further attempts at collection. No more statements are sent. The patient's ledger is marked so that the office knows it is in the hands of an agency. Refer the patient to the agency if he or she contacts the office in regard to the account. Any payments should be reported to the agency.

Question:

The entry, editing, manipulation, and storage of text using the computer is

Answer:

Word processing RATIONALE: Word processing is the system used to process written communications. It is a document production tool. Telecommunications involve verbal communication; documentation, interfacing, and formatting are not types of computer systems.

Question:

When a shipment of supplies is received, the supplies should be checked against the

Answer:

Enclosed packing slip RATIONALE: All orders received should be compared with the original purchase order and the packing slip included with the shipment. The order should be checked for correct items, sizes, styles, and amounts.

Question:

A credit balance on an account occurs when

Answer:

The patient pays in advance RATIONALE: A credit balance is the amount of advance payment or overpayment on an account. The amount of receipts exceeds the amount charged.

When blocking out available appointment times why is it important to note where the physician will be?

What type of scheduling is a system in which all patients are told to come in at the beginning of the hour in which they are to be seen?

When scheduling appointments is it better to schedule appointments in the middle of a large block of time?

When blocks of time are set aside for similar patient problems this is referred to as?