NRCMA Laboratory Procedures

Question 1

A fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions indicates:

Accepted Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Per ADA criteria, a fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher confirmed on two occasions meets the diagnostic threshold for diabetes mellitus.

Question 2

When collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, the patient should:

Accepted Answer

Clean the urethral meatus, discard initial flow, then collect midstream

Answer

Clean-catch midstream technique cleans the urethral area, discards the initial stream (which flushes urethral contaminants), then collects midstream urine for accurate culture results.

Question 3

The hemoglobin A1C test measures:

Accepted Answer

Average blood glucose over the preceding 2–3 months

Answer

HbA1c reflects the percentage of hemoglobin glycated over the lifespan of red blood cells (~120 days), providing a 2–3 month average blood glucose estimate.

Question 4

In a complete blood count (CBC), a differential WBC count identifies:

Accepted Answer

The percentage and type of each white blood cell in the sample

Answer

The differential count classifies leukocytes into five types (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) and reports each as a percentage of total WBCs.

Question 5

Which color-coded evacuated tube top is used for coagulation studies (PT/INR, aPTT)?

Accepted Answer

Light blue (sodium citrate)

Answer

Light blue-top tubes contain sodium citrate anticoagulant and must be filled exactly to the line to maintain the 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio required for accurate coagulation testing.

(NRCMA) Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

(NRCMA) Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Practice Test

NRCMA Laboratory Procedures