CMA Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling 3

Question 1

A hemolyzed blood specimen is most likely caused by:

Accepted Answer

Drawing blood too slowly through a small-gauge needle

Answer

Forcing blood through a small-gauge needle creates shear stress that ruptures red blood cells, causing hemolysis.

Question 2

Which tube additive is found in a light-blue-topped vacutainer tube used for coagulation studies?

Accepted Answer

Sodium citrate

Answer

Light-blue tops contain sodium citrate, which chelates calcium to prevent clotting for coagulation tests like PT and PTT.

Question 3

When performing an intradermal injection for a tuberculin skin test (TST), the correct angle of insertion is:

Accepted Answer

15 degrees

Answer

Intradermal injections are administered at a 10-15 degree angle to deposit the solution within the dermis, forming a wheal.

Question 4

A patient's urine specific gravity is 1.035. This finding most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Dehydration or highly concentrated urine

Answer

Normal specific gravity is 1.001-1.030; a value of 1.035 indicates highly concentrated urine, suggestive of dehydration.

Question 5

When collecting a stool specimen for occult blood testing, the patient should avoid which food for 3 days prior?

Accepted Answer

Red meat

Answer

Red meat contains hemoglobin that can cause false-positive results on guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests.

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