Laboratory Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CCMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laboratory Procedures flashcards as text
What does the acronym CLIA stand for in the context of medical laboratory testing?
Answer: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
CLIA stands for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, which are federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States.
When performing a fingerstick blood glucose test, which finger is most commonly recommended?
Answer: Ring finger (lateral aspect)
The lateral (side) aspect of the ring finger is preferred for fingerstick blood glucose testing because it has a good blood supply and is less sensitive than the fingertip, minimizing patient discomfort.
A rapid strep test result shows a single control line with no test line. How should the medical assistant interpret this result?
Answer: Negative for Streptococcus A
On most rapid antigen tests, one control line with no test line indicates a negative result; only when both lines appear is the result considered positive.
Which of the following tests is used to screen for influenza A and B at the point of care?
Answer: Rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT)
The rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) is a CLIA-waived immunoassay that detects influenza A and B viral antigens from nasopharyngeal swab specimens within 15 minutes.
Why is quality control (QC) testing performed before running patient samples in the laboratory?
Answer: To ensure the reagents, equipment, and technique are producing accurate and reliable results
QC testing verifies that reagents, instruments, and techniques are functioning correctly and within acceptable ranges before patient samples are analyzed, ensuring reliable results.
A hemoccult (fecal occult blood) test is used to detect:
Answer: Hidden blood in the stool
A hemoccult (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test) detects hidden (occult) blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye, which can indicate colorectal cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Which of the following specimens should be transported to the laboratory in a light-protected container?
Answer: Specimens for bilirubin testing
Bilirubin is photosensitive and degrades rapidly when exposed to light; specimens for bilirubin testing must be wrapped in foil or placed in amber containers to preserve accuracy.