CMA Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a subcutaneous injection, the correct angle of insertion is:
- 10-15 degrees
- 45-90 degrees depending on tissue depth (Correct answer)
- Exactly 90 degrees always
- 30 degrees
Correct answer: 45-90 degrees depending on tissue depth
Subcutaneous injections are given at 45 degrees for thin patients and 90 degrees for those with adequate subcutaneous tissue.
Question 2: A blood specimen labeled 'STAT' should be processed within:
- 4 hours
- 2 hours
- 30-60 minutes (Correct answer)
- 24 hours
Correct answer: 30-60 minutes
STAT specimens indicate urgent clinical need and should be processed and resulted within 30-60 minutes of collection.
Question 3: Which action should the medical assistant take if a venipuncture needle accidentally slips out of the vein mid-draw?
- Redirect the needle under the skin to find the vein
- Withdraw the needle, apply pressure, and attempt a new puncture at a different site (Correct answer)
- Push the needle deeper to re-enter the vein
- Rotate the needle 180 degrees and continue drawing
Correct answer: Withdraw the needle, apply pressure, and attempt a new puncture at a different site
Redirecting or probing with a needle already in the skin causes tissue damage and hematoma; a fresh puncture at a new site is safer.
Question 4: The chain of custody for a urine drug screen specimen is maintained by:
- Storing the specimen in the refrigerator overnight
- Documenting every person who handles the specimen with signatures and timestamps (Correct answer)
- Using a colored tube to prevent tampering
- Labeling the specimen with the patient's date of birth only
Correct answer: Documenting every person who handles the specimen with signatures and timestamps
Chain of custody requires documented signatures and timestamps for every person who handles the specimen to ensure legal admissibility.
Question 5: Which color-coded sharps container should be used for disposal of used insulin syringes in the clinical setting?
- Green container for biohazardous waste
- Red or orange puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Regular trash receptacle with a lid
- Blue container for pharmaceutical waste
Correct answer: Red or orange puncture-resistant sharps container
All contaminated needles and syringes must be placed immediately into red or orange puncture-resistant sharps containers.
Question 6: When performing spirometry testing, the patient should be instructed to:
- Breathe normally throughout the entire test
- Inhale maximally, then exhale as forcefully and completely as possible (Correct answer)
- Exhale slowly and steadily for 30 seconds
- Hold their breath for 10 seconds before exhaling gently
Correct answer: Inhale maximally, then exhale as forcefully and completely as possible
Forced vital capacity (FVC) testing requires maximal inhalation followed by the most forceful and complete exhalation possible.
Question 7: A specimen collected for sputum culture should ideally be obtained:
- After eating a meal to stimulate coughing
- From the first deep cough in the morning before eating or drinking (Correct answer)
- Via nasal swab if the patient cannot cough
- As a pooled specimen collected over 3 days
Correct answer: From the first deep cough in the morning before eating or drinking
Early morning specimens contain the highest concentration of organisms before oral flora is diluted by food or fluids.
CMA Clinical Procedures and Specimen Handling 5
When performing a subcutaneous injection, the correct angle of insertion is: