Certified Medical Administrative Assistants (CMAA) Practice Exam

In the medical context, a "progress note" is a document that describes a patient's ongoing treatment and progress. This note is an essential part of a patient’s medical record and serves to communicate the treatment path the healthcare provider is taking, along with the patient’s response to that treatment.

Progress notes typically include details about the patient's condition, the treatments administered, any changes in symptoms, and the clinician’s assessments. These notes are crucial for ensuring continuity of care, as they allow different healthcare professionals involved in a patient's care to stay informed about the patient's status and treatment history.

The other options focus on different aspects of the patient’s medical journey, such as a record of patient admission, which typically covers the details of the initial encounter, or a summary of medical history, which compiles past medical events but does not provide ongoing updates. The report on a patient's insurance coverage relates to administrative aspects rather than clinical progress. Thus, the essence of a progress note is to document the dynamic nature of a patient’s treatment and recovery over time.