CMT - Certified Medical Technician Medical Procedures and Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a capillary blood draw (fingerstick), which part of the finger is the preferred puncture site?
- The tip of the finger
- The lateral side of the fingertip pad (Correct answer)
- The base of the finger near the knuckle
- The center of the fingertip pad
Correct answer: The lateral side of the fingertip pad
The lateral side of the fingertip pad has an adequate capillary bed and less nerve density than the fingertip center, reducing pain while providing sufficient blood flow. The very tip and pad center are more sensitive and prone to excess pain.
Question 2: Before administering a subcutaneous (SQ) injection, the skin should be pinched to a fold and the needle inserted at what angle?
- 15 degrees
- 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 70 degrees
- 90 degrees
Correct answer: 45 degrees
A 45-degree angle is standard for subcutaneous injections when skin is pinched, ensuring the needle reaches the subcutaneous fatty tissue without penetrating muscle. In patients with more adipose tissue, 90 degrees may also be used, but 45 degrees is the baseline technique.
Question 3: When collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity, which collection method is required to prevent contamination?
- First-void specimen collected in any clean cup
- Midstream clean-catch technique (Correct answer)
- Last-void specimen of the day
- Catheter bag drainage specimen
Correct answer: Midstream clean-catch technique
The midstream clean-catch technique flushes urethral contaminants with the initial urine stream before collecting the specimen, providing an accurate sample for culture. Catheter bag specimens and first-void samples are prone to colonization and contamination.
Question 4: When inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube, how is proper placement in the stomach confirmed before use?
- Flushing with sterile water and observing for resistance
- Injecting air while auscultating over the epigastric area and aspirating gastric contents (Correct answer)
- Observing for coughing or gagging only
- Measuring external tube length against the patient's height
Correct answer: Injecting air while auscultating over the epigastric area and aspirating gastric contents
Injecting a small amount of air while auscultating over the stomach for a whooshing sound, combined with aspirating and pH-testing gastric contents, confirms placement in the stomach rather than the lungs or esophagus. Relying on coughing alone is insufficient and potentially dangerous.
Question 5: During a sterile dressing change, if the sterile field becomes wet from drainage, the medical technician should:
- Continue with the procedure as long as gloves remain dry
- Pat the field dry with a sterile gauze and proceed
- Consider the sterile field contaminated and set up a new one (Correct answer)
- Cover the wet area with a sterile drape and continue
Correct answer: Consider the sterile field contaminated and set up a new one
Moisture wicks microorganisms through sterile barriers via capillary action (known as strike-through contamination), rendering the entire sterile field contaminated. A new sterile setup must be established before continuing.
Question 6: When measuring a patient's blood pressure, where should the lower edge of the blood pressure cuff be positioned relative to the antecubital fossa?
- Directly over the antecubital fossa
- 1–2 cm above the antecubital fossa (Correct answer)
- 4–5 cm above the antecubital fossa
- Flush with the shoulder
Correct answer: 1–2 cm above the antecubital fossa
Placing the cuff lower edge 1–2 cm (approximately one finger-width) above the antecubital fossa allows the stethoscope to rest properly over the brachial artery without touching the cuff, which would produce artifact and inaccurate readings.
CMT - Certified Medical Technician Medical Procedures and Techniques 1
When performing a capillary blood draw (fingerstick), which part of the finger is the preferred puncture site?