Chapter 40 - Assisting with highly specialized examinations. This chapter introduces you to many of the specialties, their diseases and disorders, the types of examinations involved, and how the medical assistant can assist with diagnostic testing by collecting and processing specimens. Certain specialized tests and how to correctly administer them are also included in this chapter. | 40 Assisting with Highly Specialized Examinations 40- Learning Outcomes Discuss the medical specialties of allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otology, surgery, and urology. Describe the types of examinations and diagnostic tests performed in each of these specialties and the medical assistant’s role in these examinations and tests. Identify the most common diseases and disorders seen in these medical specialties and typical treatments for them. 40- Learning Outcomes (cont.) Carry out the procedure for assisting the physician in performing a scratch test. Carry out the procedure for assisting with a sigmoidoscopy. Prepare the ophthalmoscope for use. Carry out the procedure for assisting with a needle biopsy. 40- Introduction Many physicians choose to specialize The medical assistant working for a specialist will Assist with the examinations Assist | 40 Assisting with Highly Specialized Examinations 40- Learning Outcomes Discuss the medical specialties of allergy, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, otology, surgery, and urology. Describe the types of examinations and diagnostic tests performed in each of these specialties and the medical assistant’s role in these examinations and tests. Identify the most common diseases and disorders seen in these medical specialties and typical treatments for them. 40- Learning Outcomes (cont.) Carry out the procedure for assisting the physician in performing a scratch test. Carry out the procedure for assisting with a sigmoidoscopy. Prepare the ophthalmoscope for use. Carry out the procedure for assisting with a needle biopsy. 40- Introduction Many physicians choose to specialize The medical assistant working for a specialist will Assist with the examinations Assist with diagnostic testing and processing specimens 40- The Medical Assistant’s Role in Specialized Examinations Physicians that specialize focus on one body system, a single type of disease, or medical intervention Medical assistant role General administrative and clinical tasks Assist with examinations and procedures Communicate with and educate patients 40- Allergy Allergist – diagnoses and treats allergies Allergies – inappropriate immune system responses to normally harmless substances Allergen – substance that causes an allergic reaction Allergic reactions may be localized or systemic Anaphylaxis – life-threatening allergic reaction 40- Allergy Examinations Involves a medical history and diagnostic testing You must understand the function of the immune system and how allergies are treated Allergen avoidance Medications Desensitization to a substance 40- Allergy Testing Scratch test Used to test for specific allergies May cause discomfort and itching
