Certified Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling Questions and Answers

Question 1

A medical assistant is preparing to perform a venipuncture. Which of the following is the correct order of draw to prevent cross-contamination of additives?

Accepted Answer

Yellow (Blood Culture), Light Blue, Red, Green, Lavender, Gray

Answer

Light Blue, Red, Green, Lavender

Answer

Red, Light Blue, Lavender, Green

Answer

Gray, Lavender, Green, Red, Light Blue

Question 2

When instructing a female patient on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen for a culture and sensitivity test, which of the following instructions is most important to prevent contamination?

Accepted Answer

Separate the labia and cleanse the area from front to back before voiding a small amount into the toilet and then collecting the sample.

Answer

Collect the first part of the urine stream to ensure the sample is concentrated.

Answer

Wipe the genital area from back to front using a single antiseptic towelette.

Answer

Fill the collection cup to the very top to provide an ample sample.

Question 3

A medical assistant is handling a specimen for a throat culture. Which of the following actions is essential for maintaining the viability of the microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

Placing the collection swab into the transport medium and keeping it at room temperature.

Answer

Refrigerating the specimen immediately after collection.

Answer

Exposing the swab to air for several minutes to dry before packaging.

Answer

Labeling the container with only the patient's name.

Question 4

A patient arrives for a pre-employment drug screening. To ensure the integrity of the specimen and the legal defensibility of the test, the medical assistant must follow which protocol?

Accepted Answer

Chain of custody protocol

Answer

Patient privacy protocol

Answer

Standard universal precautions

Answer

CLIA waived test procedure

Question 5

Which of the following point-of-care tests is a medical assistant permitted to perform under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver?

Accepted Answer

Urine pregnancy test

Answer

Blood gas analysis

Answer

Pap smear cytology

Answer

Microscopic urinalysis

Question 6

When preparing a microbiology specimen for transport to an outside laboratory, how should the medical assistant package the sample?

Accepted Answer

In a securely sealed, leak-proof primary container placed inside a labeled biohazard transport bag.

Answer

In a paper bag with the requisition form stapled to the outside.

Answer

Wrapped in gauze and placed in the courier's general pickup box.

Answer

On ice in a styrofoam cooler, regardless of the specimen type.