CNA CNA Medical Lab and Specimen Collection Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with a Foley catheter needs a urine specimen. The CNA should collect the sample from:
- The urinary drainage bag
- The catheter port using a needleless syringe after clamping the tubing (Correct answer)
- The catheter tubing by cutting it open
- A fresh void collected in a bedpan
Correct answer: The catheter port using a needleless syringe after clamping the tubing
Urine specimens from catheterized residents are collected from the catheter's sampling port to obtain a fresh, uncontaminated sample.
Question 2: A resident must provide a urine specimen but cannot ambulate to the bathroom. The CNA should:
- Postpone collection until the resident can walk
- Provide a bedpan or urinal and assist the resident to collect the specimen (Correct answer)
- Collect the specimen from the toilet after the resident uses a bedside commode unassisted
- Insert a catheter to obtain the specimen
Correct answer: Provide a bedpan or urinal and assist the resident to collect the specimen
A bedpan or urinal allows a non-ambulatory resident to provide a urine specimen safely in bed with CNA assistance.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct sequence for putting on PPE before collecting a specimen with potential splash risk?
- Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
- Gown, mask, goggles, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, goggles, gloves, gown
- Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
The correct donning sequence is gown first, then mask, then goggles/face shield, and gloves last to ensure the gown cuffs are covered.
Question 4: A specimen label should be applied:
- To the outside of the transport bag
- Directly to the specimen container, not the bag (Correct answer)
- After the specimen is handed to the lab technician
- Only if the resident has a known infection
Correct answer: Directly to the specimen container, not the bag
Labels must be placed directly on the specimen container so identification is never separated from the sample.
Question 5: A resident complains of painful urination and the nurse asks the CNA to collect a urine specimen. The CNA observes the urine appears dark and cloudy. The CNA should:
- Discard the specimen because it looks abnormal
- Collect the specimen and report the appearance to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Add water to dilute the specimen before sending it
- Document the finding but wait to collect until the next void
Correct answer: Collect the specimen and report the appearance to the nurse
Abnormal urine characteristics such as cloudiness or dark color are important clinical findings that should be collected, reported, and documented.
Question 6: Which of the following actions by a CNA during sputum collection demonstrates correct technique?
- Having the resident spit saliva into the cup to fill it halfway first
- Encouraging the resident to take several deep breaths before coughing deeply (Correct answer)
- Collecting the specimen immediately after the resident eats a meal
- Asking the resident to cough while lying flat on their back
Correct answer: Encouraging the resident to take several deep breaths before coughing deeply
Deep breathing before coughing loosens secretions from the lower airways, improving the quality and quantity of the sputum specimen.
Question 7: When a specimen container is accidentally dropped and cracks but does not fully break, the CNA should:
- Reinforce the crack with tape and send the container to the lab
- Treat the container as potentially contaminated, don PPE, dispose of it safely, and collect a new specimen (Correct answer)
- Pour the specimen into another container that is available nearby
- Notify the lab that the container may be slightly damaged
Correct answer: Treat the container as potentially contaminated, don PPE, dispose of it safely, and collect a new specimen
A cracked specimen container poses a biohazard risk; the CNA must use PPE, safely discard the compromised container, and collect a fresh specimen.
CNA CNA Medical Lab and Specimen Collection Skills 5
A resident with a Foley catheter needs a urine specimen.
The CNA should collect the sample from: