Which procedure can be performed by a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is trained to perform various clinical tasks that are within their scope of practice, including administering injections. Intramuscular injections are a common procedure where medication is injected directly into muscle tissues, allowing for quick absorption into the bloodstream. Medical assistants receive the necessary training to perform this task safely and effectively, ensuring proper technique, patient comfort, and adherence to hygiene standards.

On the other hand, open-heart surgery is a complex surgical procedure that requires the expertise of a fully licensed surgeon and specialized medical staff, making it outside the scope of a medical assistant's practice. Performing CT scans requires advanced training and a specific certification that medical assistants typically do not possess. Although medical assistants may be involved in administering diagnostic tests, the term is broad and can encompass a wide range of procedures; the specifics of what qualifies as 'diagnostic testing' vary and may not fall under the direct duties of a medical assistant. Thus, the administration of intramuscular injections is definitive in scope and accuracy for the role of a medical assistant.