Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling Flashcards
7 cards from real CMA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling flashcards as text
When collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity, which collection method is preferred to avoid contamination?
Answer: Midstream clean-catch into a sterile container
Midstream clean-catch into a sterile container minimizes contamination from periurethral flora.
A patient requires a capillary blood glucose test. Which finger site should be avoided?
Answer: Index fingertip
The fingertip is more sensitive and painful; lateral aspects of fingers are preferred for capillary puncture.
Which antiseptic should NOT be used when preparing a site for blood alcohol level collection?
Answer: Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol can falsely elevate blood alcohol levels and must be avoided for BAL draws.
The correct order of draw for a venipuncture using tubes with additives is:
Answer: Blood culture, citrate, SST, EDTA
The correct order is: blood cultures, citrate (blue), SST (gold/red), heparin (green), EDTA (lavender), then others.
When performing a wound irrigation, the medical assistant should direct the flow of irrigant:
Answer: From the cleanest area to the most contaminated
Irrigation flows from clean to dirty areas to prevent spreading contamination into unaffected tissue.
A throat culture swab should be collected from which anatomical location?
Answer: The tonsillar pillars and posterior pharynx
The tonsillar pillars and posterior pharynx are the sites with highest yield for streptococcal pathogens.
When preparing a patient for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which action is most important to ensure accurate results?
Answer: Ensure the patient remains still and relaxed
Patient movement and muscle tension cause artifact that distorts the ECG tracing.