CCMA Laboratory Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym CLIA stand for in the context of medical laboratory testing?
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (Correct answer)
- Certified Laboratory Infection Assessment
- Clinical Licensing and Inspection Agency
- Certified Laboratory Instrument Analysis
Correct 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.
Question 2: When performing a fingerstick blood glucose test, which finger is most commonly recommended?
- Thumb
- Index finger
- Ring finger (lateral aspect) (Correct answer)
- Little finger
Correct 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.
Question 3: A rapid strep test result shows a single control line with no test line. How should the medical assistant interpret this result?
- Positive for Streptococcus A
- Negative for Streptococcus A (Correct answer)
- Invalid result — repeat the test
- The patient requires a throat culture
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which of the following tests is used to screen for influenza A and B at the point of care?
- RAST test
- Rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) (Correct answer)
- C-reactive protein (CRP) assay
- Mono spot test
Correct 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.
Question 5: Why is quality control (QC) testing performed before running patient samples in the laboratory?
- To calibrate the patient's chart
- To ensure the reagents, equipment, and technique are producing accurate and reliable results (Correct answer)
- To test the medical assistant's competency
- To clean the testing equipment before use
Correct 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.
Question 6: A hemoccult (fecal occult blood) test is used to detect:
- Bacteria in the stool
- Hidden blood in the stool (Correct answer)
- Fat malabsorption
- Intestinal parasites
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which of the following specimens should be transported to the laboratory in a light-protected container?
- Blood cultures
- Urine for culture and sensitivity
- Specimens for bilirubin testing (Correct answer)
- Throat swab for rapid strep
Correct 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.
CCMA Laboratory Procedures 2
What does the acronym CLIA stand for in the context of medical laboratory testing?