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Textbook
Introduction
1. Medical assistant
2. Electronic records
3. Medical terminology and anatomy
4. The fundamentals of infection control
5. Introduction to vital signs
6. The patient interview and history
7. The physical examination
8. Appointment scheduling
9. Insurance billing
10. Diagnostic coding and the ICD-10-CM System
11. Procedural coding
12. Medical billing and reimbursement essentials
13. Assisting with medical specialties
14. Assisting with the musculoskeletal system
14.1 The musculoskeletal system and medical assisting care
14.2 Musculoskeletal system examinations, treatments, and patient care
14.3 Muscle types and structure
14.4 Muscle physiology and lifespan changes
14.5 Muscular system disorders
14.6 Muscle injuries and additional disorders
14.7 Introduction and skeletal system conditions
14.8 Spinal conditions, paget disease, and foot disorders
14.9 Arthritic joint diseases and disorders
14.10 Other arthritic and nonarthritic joint disorders
15. Assisting with the cardiovascular system
16. Assisting with the respiratory system
17. Assisting with the nervous system
18. Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
19. Assisting in obstetrics and gynecology
20. Assisting in endocrinology
21. Assisting in ophthalmology & otolaryngology
22. Assisting in gastroenterology
23. Assisting in the immune & lymphatic systems
24. Assisting in pediatrics: the developmental stages and care
25. The medical assistant’s role in caring for the older patient
26. The role of the medical assistant in physical therapy examination and assessment
27. Preparing for minor surgery: room, solutions, and supplies
28. Introduction to the clinical laboratory
29. Urinalysis
30. Blood collection
31. Analysis of blood
32. Electrocardiography and heart structure
33. The principles of pharmacology
34. Essential calculations and measurement systems
35. Solid, liquid, & solutions medication doses
36. Administering medications
37. Metabolism and core nutrient roles
38. Medical emergencies in the healthcare setting
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14.2 Musculoskeletal system examinations, treatments, and patient care
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14. Assisting with the musculoskeletal system

Musculoskeletal system examinations, treatments, and patient care

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Assisting with the examination and diagnostic procedures

During the exam, the provider may use inspection, palpation, range-of-motion (ROM) testing, and muscle testing to examine the major skeletal muscles and joints. Many times, the unaffected side is examined first and compared to the affected side. The provider may compare the size, position, and strength of the extremities. Depending on the concern, the provider may also perform a gait analysis, which means the provider observes the patient walking. Gait abnormalities may be the cause or the result of different musculoskeletal conditions.

If medical assistants are in the room for the exam, they may be responsible for taking notes, keeping the patient draped properly, and assisting by handing equipment to the provider. Always keep patient safety in mind, especially when the patient is transferring onto and off of the exam table and changing positions. The medical assistant assists with diagnostic procedures by scheduling and preparing patients for procedures and laboratory tests.

Assisting with treatments

Musculoskeletal conditions are treated with a variety of procedures, devices, and medications.

The following are some of the more common classifications of medications used for musculoskeletal conditions:

  • Analgesic: Relieves pain
  • Anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer: Used to prevent seizures and to treat neuromuscular disorders and epilepsy
  • Antigout: Treats gout
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces the inflammation in the body and is used to treat injuries and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, strains, and tendinitis
  • Corticosteroid: Reduces the inflammation in the body and is used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., arthritis)
  • Muscle relaxant: Works on the central nervous system (CNS) to relax muscles, which treats conditions such as sprains and muscle injuries
  • Osteoporosis agent: Promotes bone mineral density and reverses the progression of osteoporosis
  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor: Treats autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

Medical assistants should be familiar with the information on the medication classification, including indications for use, desired effect, side effects, adverse reactions, and generic and trade names.

Patient coaching

An informed patient is better prepared to continue with home care. Skeletal conditions, particularly arthritis, can be so painful and debilitating that these patients may be easy prey for miracle drug promotions. It is important for you to recognize the need for patient education about the condition and work diligently with the patient and family to encourage participation in effective care programs. When you work with the provider and the physical therapist in helping the patient, you become an important member of the healthcare team. This type of involvement leads to patient satisfaction, personal satisfaction, and a sense of achievement for the medical assistant.

Legal and ethical issues

When performing a procedure on a patient, it is important to follow these guidelines:

  • You must have a written order from the provider.
  • You must follow the procedure precisely as it is ordered, without variation.
  • Never advise the patient without permission.
  • Make sure you know what instructions the provider gave the patient and reinforce them.
  • If you have any concerns about a procedure, discuss them with the provider privately before proceeding.
  • Do not perform a procedure if you are uncomfortable; get someone to help you.

Always remember that you are the assistant, and this is the provider’s patient. The provider is ultimately responsible for every aspect of the patient’s care. Always stay within the legal and ethical guidelines of the medical assisting profession in your state.

Patient-centered care

Patients with musculoskeletal diseases may be on several medications to manage the disease and pain. The medical assistant should ensure the patient is taking the medication as prescribed. It is important to ask questions regarding the side effects of medications and pain levels in order to identify any issues the patient may be having. The information gathered from the patient should be reported to the provider. The goal is to give patients the highest quality of life.

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Musculoskeletal system examinations, treatments, and patient care

Assisting with the examination and diagnostic procedures

During the exam, the provider may use inspection, palpation, range-of-motion (ROM) testing, and muscle testing to examine the major skeletal muscles and joints. Many times, the unaffected side is examined first and compared to the affected side. The provider may compare the size, position, and strength of the extremities. Depending on the concern, the provider may also perform a gait analysis, which means the provider observes the patient walking. Gait abnormalities may be the cause or the result of different musculoskeletal conditions.

If medical assistants are in the room for the exam, they may be responsible for taking notes, keeping the patient draped properly, and assisting by handing equipment to the provider. Always keep patient safety in mind, especially when the patient is transferring onto and off of the exam table and changing positions. The medical assistant assists with diagnostic procedures by scheduling and preparing patients for procedures and laboratory tests.

Assisting with treatments

Musculoskeletal conditions are treated with a variety of procedures, devices, and medications.

The following are some of the more common classifications of medications used for musculoskeletal conditions:

  • Analgesic: Relieves pain
  • Anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer: Used to prevent seizures and to treat neuromuscular disorders and epilepsy
  • Antigout: Treats gout
  • Anti-inflammatory: Reduces the inflammation in the body and is used to treat injuries and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, strains, and tendinitis
  • Corticosteroid: Reduces the inflammation in the body and is used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., arthritis)
  • Muscle relaxant: Works on the central nervous system (CNS) to relax muscles, which treats conditions such as sprains and muscle injuries
  • Osteoporosis agent: Promotes bone mineral density and reverses the progression of osteoporosis
  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor: Treats autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

Medical assistants should be familiar with the information on the medication classification, including indications for use, desired effect, side effects, adverse reactions, and generic and trade names.

Patient coaching

An informed patient is better prepared to continue with home care. Skeletal conditions, particularly arthritis, can be so painful and debilitating that these patients may be easy prey for miracle drug promotions. It is important for you to recognize the need for patient education about the condition and work diligently with the patient and family to encourage participation in effective care programs. When you work with the provider and the physical therapist in helping the patient, you become an important member of the healthcare team. This type of involvement leads to patient satisfaction, personal satisfaction, and a sense of achievement for the medical assistant.

Legal and ethical issues

When performing a procedure on a patient, it is important to follow these guidelines:

  • You must have a written order from the provider.
  • You must follow the procedure precisely as it is ordered, without variation.
  • Never advise the patient without permission.
  • Make sure you know what instructions the provider gave the patient and reinforce them.
  • If you have any concerns about a procedure, discuss them with the provider privately before proceeding.
  • Do not perform a procedure if you are uncomfortable; get someone to help you.

Always remember that you are the assistant, and this is the provider’s patient. The provider is ultimately responsible for every aspect of the patient’s care. Always stay within the legal and ethical guidelines of the medical assisting profession in your state.

Patient-centered care

Patients with musculoskeletal diseases may be on several medications to manage the disease and pain. The medical assistant should ensure the patient is taking the medication as prescribed. It is important to ask questions regarding the side effects of medications and pain levels in order to identify any issues the patient may be having. The information gathered from the patient should be reported to the provider. The goal is to give patients the highest quality of life.

More from Assisting with the musculoskeletal system

  • The musculoskeletal system and medical assisting care
  • Muscle types and structure
  • Muscle physiology and lifespan changes
  • Muscular system disorders
  • Muscle injuries and additional disorders