AMCA Medical Knowledge and Clinical Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of wound closure uses adhesive strips rather than sutures?
- Staples
- Steri-Strips (Correct answer)
- Mattress sutures
- Interrupted sutures
Correct answer: Steri-Strips
Steri-Strips are adhesive wound closure strips used for minor lacerations that do not require sutures.
Question 2: When measuring a patient's weight using a balance beam scale, the medical assistant should:
- Have the patient keep shoes on for accuracy
- Balance the scale to zero before the patient steps on (Correct answer)
- Record weight after the patient is fully clothed
- Weigh the patient only in the morning
Correct answer: Balance the scale to zero before the patient steps on
The scale must be zeroed before use to ensure an accurate weight measurement.
Question 3: What does the medical abbreviation 'NPO' mean?
- Normal perfusion only
- Nothing by mouth (Correct answer)
- No previous orders
- Negative patient outcome
Correct answer: Nothing by mouth
NPO stands for 'nil per os,' a Latin term meaning nothing by mouth.
Question 4: Which of the following is a contraindication for performing a venipuncture on a specific arm?
- Presence of a large, easily visible vein
- Same-side mastectomy or lymph node removal (Correct answer)
- Patient preference for that arm
- Slightly elevated blood pressure
Correct answer: Same-side mastectomy or lymph node removal
A mastectomy with lymph node dissection on the same side increases infection risk and may compromise lymphatic drainage, contraindicating venipuncture on that arm.
Question 5: A patient with a known latex allergy is scheduled for a procedure. What is the medical assistant's priority action?
- Proceed normally since most gloves are latex-free
- Document the allergy in the chart only
- Ensure all latex-containing materials are removed from the room (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to sign an allergy waiver
Correct answer: Ensure all latex-containing materials are removed from the room
All latex-containing items must be identified and removed from the procedure room to prevent an allergic reaction.
Question 6: Which test is used to screen for colorectal cancer by detecting hidden blood in stool?
- Urinalysis
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (Correct answer)
- Colonoscopy prep culture
- Complete metabolic panel
Correct answer: Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
The fecal occult blood test detects microscopic blood in stool, which can be an early indicator of colorectal cancer.
Question 7: During a urine specimen collection, which type of sample is required to culture a urinary tract infection accurately?
- Random specimen
- First morning void
- Clean-catch midstream specimen (Correct answer)
- 24-hour collection
Correct answer: Clean-catch midstream specimen
A clean-catch midstream urine sample minimizes contamination from the urethral area, ensuring accurate culture results.
AMCA Medical Knowledge and Clinical Procedures 3
Which type of wound closure uses adhesive strips rather than sutures?