CMA Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling 4

Question 1

Which specimen requires special handling in a biohazard bag with a secondary container for transport?

Accepted Answer

Blood specimens for any laboratory analysis

Answer

All blood and body fluid specimens must be transported in sealed, leak-proof containers with biohazard labeling per standard precautions.

Question 2

A patient experiences a vasovagal syncope reaction during venipuncture. The FIRST action is to:

Accepted Answer

Remove the needle and have the patient lower their head between their knees or lie down

Answer

Removing the needle prevents injury, and lowering the head increases cerebral blood flow to resolve the vasovagal episode.

Question 3

For a 24-hour urine collection, the patient should be instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Discard the first morning void, then collect all urine for 24 hours ending with the next morning void

Answer

The first morning void is discarded to establish a clear start time; all subsequent urine including the next day's first void is collected.

Question 4

When applying a sterile dressing to a wound, the medical assistant should handle the dressing:

Accepted Answer

Using sterile forceps or sterile gloves, touching only the outer surface

Answer

Sterile dressings must remain sterile; forceps or sterile gloves touching only non-contact surfaces prevent contamination.

Question 5

A patient needs a Pap smear specimen. Which fixative must be applied immediately after collection?

Accepted Answer

Cytology fixative spray or liquid (e.g., CytoLyt)

Answer

Cytology fixative must be applied within seconds to prevent air-drying artifact that makes cells uninterpretable.

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