Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

What part of the patient examination is performed by asking specific questions in an orderly sequence?

1. History

2. Visual acuity

3. Ophthalmoscopy

4. Refraction

The correct answer is: History

The correct answer is the part of the patient examination that involves gathering essential information about the patient's current and past eye health, as well as any systemic conditions that might affect vision. This process is typically referred to as taking the patient's history. During this phase, the ophthalmic assistant or healthcare provider systematically asks a series of targeted questions. These questions are designed to elicit vital information regarding the patient's symptoms, medical history, family history of eye diseases, and any medications being used. This orderly approach is crucial for establishing the patient's baseline health status and for identifying potential risk factors for ocular problems. The other options involve different components of the eye examination but do not match the focus of sequential questioning for gathering patient information. Visual acuity testing measures how well a patient can see, ophthalmoscopy is an examination of the interior of the eye, and refraction determines the prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Each of these plays a critical role in eye care but does not encompass the systematic inquiry conducted during the history-taking process.