A medical assistant in a provider's office is cleaning a patient's jagged, contaminated wound. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?
Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline.
Insert liquid bandage into the wound.
Wash the wound with soap and warm water.
Apply microporous tape to the wound.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Irrigate the wound with sterile normal saline. Irrigating the wound with sterile normal saline is the appropriate action for cleaning a contaminated wound, as it helps to remove debris and reduce the risk of infection.
B. Insert liquid bandage into the wound. A liquid bandage is not appropriate for a contaminated wound, especially if the wound is jagged, as it could trap contaminants inside.
C. Wash the wound with soap and warm water. While soap and water are good for general wound cleaning, sterile normal saline is preferred for contaminated wounds in a clinical setting to minimize irritation and infection.
D. Apply microporous tape to the wound. Microporous tape is used for securing dressings, not for cleaning wounds.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Reschedule the patient for another appointment. Rescheduling might not be necessary if the patient’s concerns can be addressed in the current appointment.
B. Remind the patient the procedure is already scheduled. Reminding the patient about the scheduled procedure without addressing their concerns can come off as dismissive.
C. Relay the information to the provider. The medical assistant should communicate the patient’s additional concerns to the provider so they can be addressed before proceeding with the treatment.
D. Ask another medical assistant to speak to the patient. The medical assistant who is currently interacting with the patient should address the concerns or relay them to the provider, rather than passing the responsibility to another assistant.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Measuring capillary hematocrit: Measuring capillary hematocrit is within the scope of practice for medical assistants.
B. Obtaining a throat culture: Obtaining a throat culture is a common task for medical assistants.
C. Performing a fecal occult blood test: Performing a fecal occult blood test is within the medical assistant’s scope of practice.
D. Interpreting microscopic preparation of urine: Interpreting the results of a microscopic urine preparation typically requires a higher level of training and is often performed by a lab technician or other specialized personnel.