CHAPTER 42 Assisting in Other Medical Specialties
42-2 Learning Outcomes (cont.) 42.1 Describe the medical specialties of allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. 42.2 Identify common diseases and disorders related to cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics.
42-3 Learning Outcomes (cont.) 42.3 Relate the role of the medical assistant in examinations and procedures performed in the medical specialties of allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics.
42-4 Introduction The medical assistant working for a specialist will Assist with the examinations Assist with diagnostic testing and processing specimens Address common concerns and questions Perform basic administrative and clinical skills
42-5 Working in Other Medical Specialties Allergy Allergist Allergies ~ inappropriate immune responses Allergic reaction ~ inflammation and tissue damage Local Systemic Anaphylaxis
42-6 Cardiology Cardiologist heart disease and disorders Be familiar with The structure of the cardiovascular system Typical exams and measurements Common heart diseases and treatments Diagnostic tests
42-7 Dermatology Dermatologists skin diseases and disorders Medical assistant must Understand elements of dermatologic exams and procedures Be familiar with skin disorders and treatments Understand terminology
42-8 Endocrinology Endocrinologists diseases and disorders related to glands and hormones Medical assistant Assists with examinations Collects specimens for analysis
42-9 Gastroenterology Gastroenterologists disorders of the GI tract, liver and pancreas Medical assistant Understands the basic elements of GI exam and procedures Become familiar with GI disorders, treatments, and terminology Patient education ~ prepares for the exams
42-10 Neurology Neurologists diseases and disorders of the central nervous system Medical assistant Assists with examination Perform diagnostic testing Educates patients
42-11 Oncology Oncologist tumors and cancerous growths Tumor Lump of abnormal cells Benign or malignant Metastasis Carcinogenesis Medical assistant Be aware of common types of cancers Patient education Family education and support
42-12 Orthopedics Orthopedist disorders, injuries, and diseases of the muscular and skeletal systems Medical assistant General examinations X-rays Casting Hot/cold treatment Patient education
42-13 Apply Your Knowledge Match the following Allergist Cardiologist Dermatologist Endocrinologist Gastroenterologist Neurologist Oncologist Orthopedist ANSWER: Skin cancers Nervous system disorders Joint and bone disorders Vascular system disorders Hormonal imbalances Malignant tumors Liver & pancreas disorders Immune system responses P e r f e c t M a t c h!
Diseases and Disorders Of Medical Specialties 42-14 Cardiology Cardiovascular disease Coronary artery disease Hypertension Myocardial infarction Risk factors Inactivity Obesity High blood pressure Smoking High cholesterol Diabetes
Diseases and Disorders Of Medical Specialties (cont.) 42-15 Cardiology Patient education ~ prevention of heart disease, stroke, or heart attack Diseases include Arterial and vascular disorders Coronary artery disease Dysrhythmias Heart failure Inflammation of heart tissue Valvular diseases
42-16 Dermatologic Conditions and Disorders Skin disorders include Acne vulgaris Contact dermatitis Psoriasis Ringworm Moles Skin cancers Warts Eczema
42-17 Endocrine Diseases and Disorders Diabetes Causes Pancreas ~ secretes less insulin Body ~ resistant to insulin Hyperglycemia Goal of treatment ~ normalize blood sugar levels
42-18 Endocrine Diseases and Disorders (cont.) Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism Decreased activity of the thyroid gland Underproduction of thyroxine Hyperthyroidism ~ increased gland activity
42-19 Gastrointestinal Disease and Disorders Document GI symptoms accurately Common diseases and disorders Hernia Cholecystitis and cholelithiasis Colitis Constipation and diarrhea Diverticulitis GERD Hemorrhoids
42-20 Neurologic Diseases and Disorders Common diseases Alzheimer s disease Bells palsy Encephalitis Epilepsy Migraines Parkinson s disease
42-21 Neurologic Diseases and Disorders Trauma Loss of sensation and voluntary motion Hemiplegia Paraplegia Quadriplegia Encephalopathy alters brain function and structure
42-22 Orthopedic Diseases and Disorders Common diseases and disorders Arthritis Carpal tunnel syndrome Dislocations, sprains, and fractures Osteoporosis Low back pain Common disorder Treatment ~ heat, analgesics, muscle relaxants, exercise, braces, traction, surgery
42-23 Apply Your Knowledge Match disorder with specialty ANSWER: C diabetes A myocarditis D GERD B acne E paraplegia F bursitis C Grave s disease F Paget's disease A. Cardiology B. Dermatology C. Endocrine D. GI E. Neurology F. Orthopedic D cholelithiasis B psoriasis A hypertension E Alzheimer's disease Bravo!
Exam and Procedures in Medical Specialties 42-24 Allergy exams and testing medical history and diagnostic testing Medical assistant Assist with or perform tests Patient education
42-25 Allergy Exams and Testing (cont.) Scratch test Used to test for specific allergies May cause discomfort and itching Intradermal test - more sensitive than the scratch test
42-26 Allergy Exams and Testing (cont.) Patch test discover the cause of contact dermatitis RAST measures blood levels of antibodies to specific allergens
42-27 Cardiology Exams Auscultation Blood pressure Heart sounds Palpation Chest wall Vessels in extremities Electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity of the heart
42-28 Cardiology Exams (cont.) Stress test Measures response to a constant or increasing workload Stress thallium ECG Chemical stress test Holter monitor records ECG over a period of time
42-29 Radiography and Imaging Techniques Chest x-ray Radionuclide studies Fluoroscopy Venogram Angiography
42-30 Radiography and Imaging Techniques (cont.) Ultrasound reflected sound waves Echocardiography High-frequency sound waves Tests structures and function of heart Heart MRI strong magnets and radio waves
42-31 Radiography and Imaging Techniques (cont.) Cardiac catheterization Obtain blood samples Measure pressure in the heart s chambers View the heart s motion Perform a balloon angioplasty Insert a stent Coronary artery bypass graft
42-32 Dermatology Exams Whole-body skin examination top layer of the entire surface of the skin Wood s light examination skin is inspected under ultraviolet lamp in a darkened room
42-33 Endocrine Exams and Tests Assessment Skin condition Weight and cardiac functioning Physical exam ~ palpation of glands Diagnostic urine and blood tests Ultrasound, X-ray, and iodine scan
42-34 Gastroenterology Exams Invasive exam procedure based on patient symptoms Medical assistant Provide reassurance and ensure comfort Assist as permitted Patient instructions
42-35 Gastroenterology Exams (cont.) Endoscopy direct visualization of a body cavity Peroral endoscopy Esophagus Stomach Duodenum
42-36 Gastroenterology Exams (cont.) Colonoscopy examination of the large intestine Proctoscopy examination of the lower rectum and anal canal Sigmoidoscopy examination of the sigmoid area of the large intestine
42-37 Diagnostic and Laboratory Testing (cont.) Lab tests Analysis of stomach contents Occult blood Imaging techniques Cholecystography Gallbladder function test Differentiate between bile duct obstruction and gallstones
42-38 Diagnostic and Laboratory Testing Ultrasound Barium swallow esophagus, stomach, and small intestine Barium enema large intestine Radionuclide imaging
42-39 Neurologic Exams and Diagnostic Testing The neurologist evaluates Cognitive function Motor system Cranial nerves Reflexes Sensory system
Neurologic Exams and Diagnostic Testing (cont.) 42-40 Electroencephalography (EEG) Imaging procedures Cerebral angiography Brain scan Computed tomography (CT scan)
Neurologic Exams and Diagnostic Testing (cont.) 42-41 Imaging procedures (cont.) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Positron emission tomography (PET scan) Myelography Skull X-rays
Neurologic Exams and Diagnostic Testing (cont.) 42-42 Lumbar puncture Diagnose infection Measure CSF pressure Check for blood or proteins Electromyography neuromuscular disorders or nerve damage
42-43 Oncology Exams and Diagnostic Testing Biopsy Incisional or open Needle Medical Assistant Standard Precautions, sterile technique Specimen preparation and labeling Clean and bandage site
Oncology Exams and Diagnostic Testing (cont.) 42-44 X-rays CT scans and MRI Blood tests to detect tumor markers Ultrasonography
42-45 Cancer Treatment A combination of treatments is used Surgery Removal of all or part of the tumor Most effective if tumor contained or localized Radiation therapy Kills or stop the growth of tumor cells Damages cells the undergo rapid division
42-46 Cancer Treatment Chemotherapy Anticancer drugs administered to kill malignant cells Used alone or in combination Highly toxic ~ use PPE
42-47 Orthopedic Exam and Procedures Assessment by Inspection Palpation Diagnostic tests Medical assistant Drape Position and support patient Patient instructions
42-48 Orthopedic Exam and Procedures (cont.) Bone and muscle biopsies Electromyography Urine and blood tests Radiographic exams X-rays CT scan and MRI Angiography Diskography Arthrography Bone scans
42-49 Orthopedic Exam and Procedures (cont.) Arthroscopy View of the inside of a joint Arthroscope Joint replacement surgery
42-50 Apply Your Knowledge True or False: F An ECG tests the function of the heart through reflected sound waves. echocardiogram T A scratch test uses extracts of suspected allergens to test for specific allergies T F T An ultraviolet lamp is used in a Wood s light examination. A colonoscopy examines only the sigmoid portion of the colon. sigmoidoscopy ANSWER: A PET scan studies the blood flow and metabolic activity of the brain. F T A needle aspiration is performed using an open biopsy. needle Arthroscopy is used to visualize the inside of a joint.
42-51 In Summary 42.1 The medical specialties discussed in this chapter include: allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. 42.2 Many common diseases and disorders are identified in the specialty practices. You should have an understanding of the implications of these diseases on the patient and the necessary treatments.
42-52 In Summary (cont.) 42.3 Exams and diagnostic tests performed in allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics specialties are numerous. During most of these exams and tests, your role may include patient safety and comfort, educating the patient about the necessary preparation and the procedure, and assisting the physician
42-53 End of Chapter 42 Diagnosis is not the end, but the beginning of practice. ~Martin H. Fischer