includes index

Contents: Medical assisting as a career-- Safety and the environment -- Communication -- Administrative practices -- Applied anatomy and physiology -- Clinical practices -- Assisting with diagnostics -- Assisting in therapeutics -- Medical assisting practice -- Appendixes The medical office environment: Principles of asepsis -- Infection control techniques -- HIV, hepatitis, and other bloodborne pathogens -- Preparing the exam and treatment areas -- Assisting with patients: Interviewing the patient, taking a history, and documentation -- Obtaining vital signs and measurement -- Assisting with a general physical examination Specialty practices and medical emergencies: Assisting with examinations in the basi specialties -- Assisting with highly specialized examinations -- Assisting with minor surgery -- Assisting with cold or heat therapy and ambulation -- Emergency preparedness and first aid -- Complementary and alternative medicine -- Physician's office laboratory procedures: Laboratory equipment and safety -- Introduction to microbiology -- Collecting, processing, and testing urine specimens -- Collecting, processing and testing blood specimens-- Nutrition, pharmacology, and diagnostic equipment: Nutrition and special diets -- Principles of pharmacology -- Drug administration -- Electrocardiography and pulmonary function testing -- X-rays and diagnostic radiology -- Externship: Medical assisting externships and preparing to find a position --