CMLA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CMLA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CMLA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CMLA Topics to Study (24)
✍️ Sample CMLA Questions & Answers
1. What additive is found in gray top tubes, and what is it primarily used to test?
Gray top tubes contain sodium fluoride (glycolytic inhibitor) and potassium oxalate (anticoagulant), which together inhibit glucose metabolism, making them the standard choice for fasting glucose and forensic blood alcohol testing.
2. Which piece of equipment is used to measure small liquid volumes accurately?
A micropipette is a highly precise instrument specifically designed to measure and transfer very small volumes of liquid, typically in the microliter range. Unlike beakers or graduated cylinders, which are for larger, less precise measurements, micropipettes offer the accuracy required for many laboratory procedures.
3. What is the first step in the risk management process?
Risk identification is the critical first step in risk management, involving systematic recognition and documentation of potential threats and vulnerabilities.
4. Which anticoagulant mechanism in EDTA (lavender) tubes prevents blood from clotting?
EDTA works by chelating divalent calcium ions (Ca²⁺), which are essential cofactors in multiple steps of the coagulation cascade; without calcium, clotting cannot proceed.
5. Why is follow-up important after service delivery?
Follow-up after service delivery ensures client satisfaction, identifies areas for improvement, and demonstrates commitment to the relationship beyond the immediate transaction.
6. Which type of analysis examines data to identify patterns and trends over time?
Trend analysis examines data points collected over time to identify patterns, directions, and changes that can inform forecasting and strategic decisions.