CMA Certified Medical Assistant Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Procedures Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tube color is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?
- Red/gold
- Lavender (EDTA) (Correct answer)
- Green (heparin)
- Light blue (citrate)
Correct answer: Lavender (EDTA)
The lavender-top tube contains EDTA, an anticoagulant that preserves cell morphology for CBC testing.
Question 2: What is the correct order of draw when collecting multiple blood tubes via venipuncture?
- Lavender, red, light blue, green
- Light blue, red/SST, green, lavender (Correct answer)
- Green, lavender, light blue, red
- Red, light blue, lavender, green
Correct answer: Light blue, red/SST, green, lavender
The standard order of draw is: light blue, red/SST, green, lavender, gray to prevent cross-contamination of additives.
Question 3: Which of the following is the BEST site for a capillary puncture in an adult?
- The earlobe
- The fingertip (lateral aspect of the third or fourth finger) (Correct answer)
- The heel
- The antecubital fossa
Correct answer: The fingertip (lateral aspect of the third or fourth finger)
The lateral aspect of the third or fourth fingertip is the preferred adult capillary puncture site because it has good blood flow and less pain.
Question 4: A urine dipstick test showing a positive result for nitrites most likely indicates:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Bacterial urinary tract infection (Correct answer)
- Kidney stones
- Dehydration
Correct answer: Bacterial urinary tract infection
Nitrites in urine are produced by bacteria (especially gram-negative organisms) and are a strong indicator of a UTI.
Question 5: Which of the following actions should be performed BEFORE collecting a midstream clean-catch urine specimen?
- Collect the first portion of urine
- Instruct the patient to cleanse the urethral area, void briefly, then collect mid-stream (Correct answer)
- Have the patient drink 2 liters of water immediately before collection
- Refrigerate the container for 30 minutes
Correct answer: Instruct the patient to cleanse the urethral area, void briefly, then collect mid-stream
Proper clean-catch technique requires cleansing the perineal area and discarding the initial urine stream to reduce contamination.
Question 6: What is the normal fasting blood glucose range for an adult?
- 40–70 mg/dL
- 70–99 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 100–125 mg/dL
- 126–200 mg/dL
Correct answer: 70–99 mg/dL
A normal fasting blood glucose is 70–99 mg/dL; values of 100–125 indicate prediabetes, and ≥126 indicates diabetes.
CMA Certified Medical Assistant Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Procedures Questions and Answers 1
Which tube color is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?