AMCA Clinical Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a venipuncture, which vein is the preferred first choice in the antecubital fossa?
- Cephalic vein
- Median cubital vein (Correct answer)
- Basilic vein
- Radial vein
Correct answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, stable, and less likely to roll or bruise.
Question 2: A patient's blood pressure reading is 148/94 mmHg. How should this be documented?
- Normal reading, no documentation needed
- Hypotensive reading
- Hypertensive reading requiring provider notification (Correct answer)
- Orthostatic hypotension
Correct answer: Hypertensive reading requiring provider notification
A reading of 148/94 mmHg exceeds the normal range (less than 120/80) and falls in the Stage 2 hypertension category, requiring provider notification.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
- Gown, mask, goggles, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
- Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
The correct sequence is gown first, then mask, then goggles/face shield, and finally gloves to prevent contamination.
Question 4: What does PERRLA stand for in a clinical assessment?
- Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation (Correct answer)
- Patient Evaluation Record and Laboratory Assessment
- Peripheral Examination of Respiratory and Lung Activity
- Physical Examination Routine and Laboratory Analysis
Correct answer: Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
PERRLA is a clinical abbreviation used when documenting a neurological eye assessment indicating normal pupil function.
Question 5: A patient is positioned in the Trendelenburg position. What does this describe?
- Patient lying on their side with knees flexed
- Patient lying flat with feet elevated above the head (Correct answer)
- Patient sitting upright at a 90-degree angle
- Patient prone with head elevated
Correct answer: Patient lying flat with feet elevated above the head
The Trendelenburg position involves the patient lying supine with the lower body and legs elevated above the head and heart.
Question 6: Which pulse site is palpated when assessing circulation in a patient's lower leg?
- Radial pulse
- Brachial pulse
- Popliteal pulse (Correct answer)
- Temporal pulse
Correct answer: Popliteal pulse
The popliteal pulse is located behind the knee and is used to assess circulation in the lower extremity.
Question 7: When administering an intradermal injection for a tuberculin skin test, at what angle is the needle inserted?
- 90 degrees
- 45 degrees
- 15 degrees (Correct answer)
- 30 degrees
Correct answer: 15 degrees
Intradermal injections are administered at a 10–15 degree angle to place medication just below the outer layer of skin, forming a wheal.
AMCA Clinical Skills 2
When performing a venipuncture, which vein is the preferred first choice in the antecubital fossa?