Each chapter closes with Critical Thinking Questions (listed below) as a review of chapter material that focuses on the role of the medical assistant.

1. A patient comes into the office with abdominal pain. On her chart is a notation that she is coming in with symptoms of appendicitis. What questions might you ask her to assist the doctor in determining whether her condition is appendicitis?

2. A parent brings in her 3-year-old son, who has chronic diarrhea. You note that the child has a large bruise on the side of his face. He appears very thin and pale. You suspect he may have been abused. What questions might you ask to obtain the information necessary to rule out or confirm abuse?

3. A 31-year-old male patient comes to the clinic after a fall that occurred at work. During the interview, he complains of pain in his left leg and right elbow. He is unable to describe what happened and says he just blacked out. What observations should you make, and what questions should you ask this patient?

4. While interviewing and recording the health history of a patient, you are required to list all the medications the patient is taking. The patient names several medications and provides the dosages; however, you cannot spell one of them and you are not sure about how to write the abbreviations for the dosages. What should you do?