Question

Which of the following is the first information the medical assistant should request to help determine the urgency of scheduling a patient who telephones requesting a same-day appointment?

A. Name, address, telephone number and age
B. Whether anything makes the problem better or worse
C. Date of last visit and previous history of the stated problem
D. Nature, onset, duration, and intensity of the problem
E. The appointment time that is most convenient for the patient

Answer 1

The first information a medical assistant should request when determining the urgency of a same-day appointment is the nature, onset, duration, and intensity of the problem, as this helps evaluate the severity and urgency of the patient's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient telephones requesting a same-day appointment, the medical assistant should prioritize understanding the severity and urgency of the patient's condition. This involves initially asking about the nature, onset, duration, and intensity of the problem. These details provide critical insight into how quickly the patient needs to be seen and whether the situation might be an emergency.

Addressing the nature of the issue could reveal whether it's a potentially life-threatening problem or something less serious. The onset and duration can help to ascertain if the condition is acute or chronic, while the intensity provides a subjective measure of how much distress the patient is experiencing. With this information, the medical assistant can make an informed decision about scheduling the appointment accordingly to ensure that patients receive appropriate care in a timely manner.