ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

The primary purpose of taking a medical history from a patient is to:

1. determine the cost of treatment

2. assess insurance coverage

3. identify any allergies or pre-existing conditions

4. secure informed consent

The correct answer is: identify any allergies or pre-existing conditions

The primary purpose of taking a medical history from a patient is to identify any allergies or pre-existing conditions. This information is crucial for several reasons. First, knowing a patient's allergies helps healthcare providers avoid administering medications or treatments that could trigger an adverse reaction. Additionally, understanding pre-existing conditions allows healthcare providers to tailor care and consider potential complications related to these conditions during treatment plans. In contrast, while determining the cost of treatment and assessing insurance coverage are important administrative aspects of healthcare, they are not the primary focus of obtaining a medical history. Similarly, securing informed consent is a necessary step in healthcare but relies on the information gathered during a medical history to ensure that the patient is fully informed about their condition and the proposed treatments.