Which of the following tasks are Registered Medical Assistants expected to perform during an examination?

Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) play a vital role in the healthcare setting, specifically in supporting the healthcare team and ensuring that examinations run smoothly. Documenting the patient’s medical history is a fundamental task for RMAs. This process involves collecting and accurately recording essential information about the patient's previous illnesses, surgeries, medications, and allergies, which is crucial for the healthcare provider to make informed decisions during the examination and treatment process. This task helps create a comprehensive view of the patient’s health status.

In contrast, diagnosing a patient’s health condition, prescribing medications, and performing surgeries are tasks that fall within the scope of practice for licensed healthcare professionals, such as physicians and nurse practitioners. These activities require specific medical training and licensure that RMAs do not possess. Instead, RMAs focus on administrative and clinical tasks, enabling healthcare providers to concentrate on patient care. This delineation of responsibilities is essential for maintaining effective healthcare practices and ensuring patient safety.