NCMA Basic Laboratory Procedures and Specimen Handling 3

Question 1

Which of the following best describes hemolysis in a blood specimen?

Accepted Answer

Rupture of red blood cells releasing hemoglobin into the serum

Answer

Clotting of blood in an anticoagulant tube

Answer

Bacterial contamination of the specimen

Answer

Incomplete filling of the collection tube

Question 2

What is the minimum volume of urine typically required for a routine urinalysis?

Accepted Answer

10–12 mL

Answer

1–2 mL

Answer

50 mL

Answer

100 mL

Question 3

Which safety symbol on a laboratory reagent indicates a biohazard?

Accepted Answer

A trefoil-like symbol with three interlocking circles on an orange background

Answer

A flame over a circle

Answer

A skull and crossbones

Answer

A lightning bolt

Question 4

A medical assistant performs a dipstick urinalysis and notes a glucose result of 2+. What should be the next step?

Accepted Answer

Report the result and alert the provider for follow-up

Answer

Discard the specimen and collect a new one

Answer

Immediately administer insulin

Answer

Rerun the test with a different dipstick brand

Question 5

What is the correct order of steps for performing a capillary puncture on a fingertip?

Accepted Answer

Select site → cleanse with alcohol → allow to dry → puncture → wipe away first drop → collect specimen

Answer

Puncture site → collect specimen → cleanse with alcohol → wipe first drop

Answer

Cleanse site → immediately puncture → collect all drops → dry site

Answer

Apply tourniquet → cleanse → puncture → collect into EDTA tube

Question 6

Which of the following additives in a gray-top tube prevents glucose from being consumed by red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Sodium fluoride

Answer

EDTA

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Thrombin