CCMA Phlebotomy and Specimen Collection 5

Question 1

A patient is on anticoagulant therapy. Which complication is MOST likely after venipuncture?

Accepted Answer

Prolonged bleeding

Answer

Anticoagulants impair the blood's clotting ability, so patients on these medications are at increased risk for prolonged bleeding at the puncture site.

Question 2

Which condition would require a medical assistant to collect a capillary specimen rather than a venous specimen?

Accepted Answer

Neonate requiring glucose testing

Answer

Neonates have very small, fragile veins, making capillary (heel stick) collection the preferred and safest method for routine testing.

Question 3

What does hemolysis in a specimen cause, and how can it be prevented?

Accepted Answer

Falsely elevated potassium; avoid vigorous mixing and use proper technique

Answer

Ruptured red blood cells release intracellular potassium, causing falsely elevated potassium results; gentle technique and proper needle size prevent hemolysis.

Question 4

When collecting a urine culture specimen, which collection method is MOST appropriate to minimize contamination?

Accepted Answer

Midstream clean-catch in a sterile container

Answer

A midstream clean-catch method minimizes contamination from skin flora and provides an accurate sample for culture and sensitivity testing.

Question 5

Which additive is found in a gray-top tube and what test is it primarily used for?

Accepted Answer

Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate; used for glucose testing

Answer

Gray-top tubes contain sodium fluoride, which inhibits glycolysis, preserving glucose levels for accurate fasting glucose or GTT testing.

CCMA - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Practice Test

CCMA - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Practice Test

CCMA Phlebotomy and Specimen Collection 5