AMCA FINAL EXAM 2025/2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | COMPLETE Q&A WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT PREP | A+ GRADED
Q1. A medical assistant is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient. Which of the
following veins is the most commonly used for this procedure?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Femoral vein
RATIONALE: The median cubital vein, located in the antecubital space, is the preferred site
for venipuncture because it is typically large, well-anchored, and close to the surface,
reducing the risk of hematoma and patient discomfort. The cephalic and basilic veins are
also used but are more prone to rolling. The femoral vein is a deep vein used only in
specific circumstances.
Q2. The physician orders a complete blood count (CBC) and a basic metabolic panel
(BMP). Which color vacutainer tube is drawn first according to the order of draw?
A. Lavender top (EDTA)
B. Green top (heparin)
C. Red top (serum)
D. Blood culture bottles
RATIONALE: The standard order of draw for venipuncture is: blood culture tubes
(yellow/black) first, then light blue (coagulation), then red/gold (serum), then green
(heparin), then lavender (EDTA), then gray (oxalate/fluoride). When blood cultures are not
required, the red top (serum) is drawn before green and lavender tubes.
Q3. A medical assistant is preparing to perform a capillary puncture on an infant. Which site
is preferred?
,A. Index finger
B. Heel
C. Earlobe
D. Toe
RATIONALE: For infants, the heel is the preferred site for capillary puncture. The lateral
plantar surface of the heel is used to avoid the calcaneus bone and prevent injury. Finger
sticks are not recommended for infants due to small finger size and risk of bone injury.
Q4. The medical assistant is performing a 12-lead EKG. Which lead is placed on the right
leg?
A. V1
B. RL (Right Leg)
C. LA (Left Arm)
D. V5
RATIONALE: In a standard 12-lead EKG, the right leg electrode (RL) serves as a ground
lead. The four limb leads are RA (right arm), LA (left arm), RL (right leg), and LL (left leg).
The ground lead reduces electrical interference.
Q5. Which of the following is the normal range for fasting blood glucose in a healthy adult?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–100 mg/dL
C. 100–126 mg/dL
D. 126–150 mg/dL
RATIONALE: The normal fasting blood glucose range for a healthy adult is 70–100 mg/dL.
A fasting glucose of 100–125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher on two
separate tests indicates diabetes.
Q6. A medical assistant is performing a wound culture. Which of the following is the correct
technique?
A. Culture the wound after cleaning with antiseptic
B. Collect the specimen from the wound using a sterile swab and rotate the swab
,over the wound surface
C. Collect the specimen from the wound's drainage only
D. Clean the wound with alcohol before collecting the culture
RATIONALE: For a wound culture, the medical assistant should use a sterile swab and
rotate it over the wound surface to collect the specimen. The wound should not be cleaned
with antiseptic or alcohol before collection, as this can kill microorganisms and produce
false-negative results.
Q7. Which of the following is the proper angle for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 90 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 180 degrees
RATIONALE: Subcutaneous injections are typically administered at a 45-degree angle
using a 25- to 27-gauge needle. Intramuscular injections are given at a 90-degree angle,
and intradermal injections are given at a 10- to 15-degree angle.
Q8. The medical assistant is performing a urine dipstick test. Which of the following
indicates a urinary tract infection?
A. Positive bilirubin
B. Positive glucose
C. Positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites
D. Positive protein
RATIONALE: Positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites on a urine dipstick indicate a urinary
tract infection (UTI). Leukocyte esterase indicates the presence of white blood cells, and
nitrites indicate the presence of bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites.
Q9. A patient with a history of latex allergy requires a blood draw. Which of the following
should the medical assistant use?
A. Latex tourniquet
B. Non-latex tourniquet and non-latex gloves
, C. Standard latex gloves
D. Rubber band tourniquet
RATIONALE: For patients with a latex allergy, the medical assistant must use non-latex
gloves and a non-latex tourniquet. Latex exposure can cause an allergic reaction ranging
from mild rash to anaphylaxis. All equipment must be latex-free.
Q10. Which of the following is the correct site for administering an intramuscular injection in
an adult?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Dorsogluteal muscle
D. Quadriceps muscle
RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in
adults because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is no
longer recommended due to the risk of sciatic nerve injury. The deltoid is used for small
volumes.
Q11. The medical assistant is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test (PPD). Which of
the following is the correct route?
A. Intradermal
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
RATIONALE: The tuberculin skin test (PPD) is administered intradermally, usually on the
volar surface of the forearm. A small amount of tuberculin is injected just below the
epidermis, creating a small wheal. It is read 48–72 hours later.
Q12. A medical assistant is performing CPR on an adult. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | COMPLETE Q&A WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT PREP | A+ GRADED
Q1. A medical assistant is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient. Which of the
following veins is the most commonly used for this procedure?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Femoral vein
RATIONALE: The median cubital vein, located in the antecubital space, is the preferred site
for venipuncture because it is typically large, well-anchored, and close to the surface,
reducing the risk of hematoma and patient discomfort. The cephalic and basilic veins are
also used but are more prone to rolling. The femoral vein is a deep vein used only in
specific circumstances.
Q2. The physician orders a complete blood count (CBC) and a basic metabolic panel
(BMP). Which color vacutainer tube is drawn first according to the order of draw?
A. Lavender top (EDTA)
B. Green top (heparin)
C. Red top (serum)
D. Blood culture bottles
RATIONALE: The standard order of draw for venipuncture is: blood culture tubes
(yellow/black) first, then light blue (coagulation), then red/gold (serum), then green
(heparin), then lavender (EDTA), then gray (oxalate/fluoride). When blood cultures are not
required, the red top (serum) is drawn before green and lavender tubes.
Q3. A medical assistant is preparing to perform a capillary puncture on an infant. Which site
is preferred?
,A. Index finger
B. Heel
C. Earlobe
D. Toe
RATIONALE: For infants, the heel is the preferred site for capillary puncture. The lateral
plantar surface of the heel is used to avoid the calcaneus bone and prevent injury. Finger
sticks are not recommended for infants due to small finger size and risk of bone injury.
Q4. The medical assistant is performing a 12-lead EKG. Which lead is placed on the right
leg?
A. V1
B. RL (Right Leg)
C. LA (Left Arm)
D. V5
RATIONALE: In a standard 12-lead EKG, the right leg electrode (RL) serves as a ground
lead. The four limb leads are RA (right arm), LA (left arm), RL (right leg), and LL (left leg).
The ground lead reduces electrical interference.
Q5. Which of the following is the normal range for fasting blood glucose in a healthy adult?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–100 mg/dL
C. 100–126 mg/dL
D. 126–150 mg/dL
RATIONALE: The normal fasting blood glucose range for a healthy adult is 70–100 mg/dL.
A fasting glucose of 100–125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher on two
separate tests indicates diabetes.
Q6. A medical assistant is performing a wound culture. Which of the following is the correct
technique?
A. Culture the wound after cleaning with antiseptic
B. Collect the specimen from the wound using a sterile swab and rotate the swab
,over the wound surface
C. Collect the specimen from the wound's drainage only
D. Clean the wound with alcohol before collecting the culture
RATIONALE: For a wound culture, the medical assistant should use a sterile swab and
rotate it over the wound surface to collect the specimen. The wound should not be cleaned
with antiseptic or alcohol before collection, as this can kill microorganisms and produce
false-negative results.
Q7. Which of the following is the proper angle for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 90 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 180 degrees
RATIONALE: Subcutaneous injections are typically administered at a 45-degree angle
using a 25- to 27-gauge needle. Intramuscular injections are given at a 90-degree angle,
and intradermal injections are given at a 10- to 15-degree angle.
Q8. The medical assistant is performing a urine dipstick test. Which of the following
indicates a urinary tract infection?
A. Positive bilirubin
B. Positive glucose
C. Positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites
D. Positive protein
RATIONALE: Positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites on a urine dipstick indicate a urinary
tract infection (UTI). Leukocyte esterase indicates the presence of white blood cells, and
nitrites indicate the presence of bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites.
Q9. A patient with a history of latex allergy requires a blood draw. Which of the following
should the medical assistant use?
A. Latex tourniquet
B. Non-latex tourniquet and non-latex gloves
, C. Standard latex gloves
D. Rubber band tourniquet
RATIONALE: For patients with a latex allergy, the medical assistant must use non-latex
gloves and a non-latex tourniquet. Latex exposure can cause an allergic reaction ranging
from mild rash to anaphylaxis. All equipment must be latex-free.
Q10. Which of the following is the correct site for administering an intramuscular injection in
an adult?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Dorsogluteal muscle
D. Quadriceps muscle
RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for intramuscular injections in
adults because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is no
longer recommended due to the risk of sciatic nerve injury. The deltoid is used for small
volumes.
Q11. The medical assistant is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test (PPD). Which of
the following is the correct route?
A. Intradermal
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
RATIONALE: The tuberculin skin test (PPD) is administered intradermally, usually on the
volar surface of the forearm. A small amount of tuberculin is injected just below the
epidermis, creating a small wheal. It is read 48–72 hours later.
Q12. A medical assistant is performing CPR on an adult. What is the recommended
compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:2
B. 30:2
