AMCA CMAC CERT EXAM REVIEW EXAM
1) Which of the following is not a phlebotomist's duty?
A. Collecting blood specimens
B. Performing laboratory computer operations
C. Starting intravenous (IV) lines
D. Transporting specimens to the laboratory - Answers - 1. C - In the case of
intravenous drugs, most cases require a licensed individual to administer this type of
therapy. A medical assistant can assist by laying out supplies and equipment necessary
for the infusion or injection being administered.
2) A national organization that sets standards for phlebotomy procedures is the:
A. ASCP
B. NAACLS
C. NCA
D. NCCLS - Answers - 2. D - All phlebotomy programs are subject to standards which
are set by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. (NCCLS)
3) Which type of contact infection transmission involves transfer of an infective microbe
to the mucous membranes of a susceptible individual by means of a cough or sneeze?
A. Direct
B. Droplet
C. Fomites
D. Indirect - Answers - 3. B - Direct transmission occurs through contact with an infected
person's mucous membranes. Indirect transmission occurs through contact with a
fomite - an inanimate object that is a reservoir for the transmission of microorganisms.
For example, a drinking glass.
The droplets from a sneeze are a common way for an infection to be transmitted.
4) What type of motion would a phlebotomist use when cleaning a site for a routine
venipuncture?
A. Vertical
B. Horizontal
C. Crossing
D. Concentric - Answers - 7. D - concentric or circular is the motion necessary for
performing phlebotomy.
5) The heart valve that is situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle is
called?
A. The pulmonic valve
B. The mitral valve
C. The aortic valve
D. The tricuspid valve - Answers - 8. D - see diagram
6) The third step of analyzing an ECG rhythm is:
, A. Evaluate the QRS complex
B. Determine the heart rate
C. Determine the regularity
D. Evaluate the P-wave - Answers - 9. D- The five steps in analyzing an ECG are: heart
rate, regularity, P-waves, QRS complex, and P-R interval.
7) Mrs. Rogers was experiencing a successful venipuncture when petechiae arose on
her forearm. This was the result of:
A. Allergy to the antiseptic used to cleanse the area
B. The needle puncturing completely through the vein
C. The tourniquet being applied too tightly
D. A rare genetic disorder - Answers - 10. C - When placing the tourniquet on the arm, it
is important to not tie too tightly as a petechiae may result. Petechiae are small, red,
smooth hemorrhagic spots appearing on a patient's skin. A hematoma occurs when the
needle has gone completely through the vein.
8) Which of the following is a test of the respiratory system?
A. ABGs
B. CSF
C. TSH
D. UA - Answers - 4. A - ABG or Arterial blood gas deals directly with the respiratory
system. CSF is cerebrospinal fluid and TSH is thyroid stimulating hormone. UA is a
distracter.
9) Urine C & S is typically ordered to detect:
A. Abnormal urine pH
B. Glucose spillage into the urine
C. Kidney damage
D. Presence of UTI - Answers - 5. D - C&S testing is used for UTI symptoms -must be a
mid-stream clean catch specimen.
10) Which statement describes proper centrifuge operation?
A. Centrifuge serum specimens before they have a chance to clot
B. Never centrifuge both serum and plasma specimens in the same centrifuge
C. Place tubes of equal size and volume opposite one another
D. Remove stoppers before placing tubes in the centrifuge - Answers - 6. C - Tubes
should be balanced in the centrifuge - tubes of the same size and volume are placed
opposite one another in the centrifuge holders
11) The PR intervals get progressively longer in:
A. 1st-degree AV heart block
B. 2nd-degree AV heart block, Type I
C. 3rd-degree AV heart block
D. Sinus dysrhythmia - Answers - 11. B - Longer P-R intervals indicate the impulse was
slowed down more than it should have been usually in the AV node. The PR intervals
get progressively longer in a 2nd degree heart block, Type 1. Absent P-R intervals
1) Which of the following is not a phlebotomist's duty?
A. Collecting blood specimens
B. Performing laboratory computer operations
C. Starting intravenous (IV) lines
D. Transporting specimens to the laboratory - Answers - 1. C - In the case of
intravenous drugs, most cases require a licensed individual to administer this type of
therapy. A medical assistant can assist by laying out supplies and equipment necessary
for the infusion or injection being administered.
2) A national organization that sets standards for phlebotomy procedures is the:
A. ASCP
B. NAACLS
C. NCA
D. NCCLS - Answers - 2. D - All phlebotomy programs are subject to standards which
are set by The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. (NCCLS)
3) Which type of contact infection transmission involves transfer of an infective microbe
to the mucous membranes of a susceptible individual by means of a cough or sneeze?
A. Direct
B. Droplet
C. Fomites
D. Indirect - Answers - 3. B - Direct transmission occurs through contact with an infected
person's mucous membranes. Indirect transmission occurs through contact with a
fomite - an inanimate object that is a reservoir for the transmission of microorganisms.
For example, a drinking glass.
The droplets from a sneeze are a common way for an infection to be transmitted.
4) What type of motion would a phlebotomist use when cleaning a site for a routine
venipuncture?
A. Vertical
B. Horizontal
C. Crossing
D. Concentric - Answers - 7. D - concentric or circular is the motion necessary for
performing phlebotomy.
5) The heart valve that is situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle is
called?
A. The pulmonic valve
B. The mitral valve
C. The aortic valve
D. The tricuspid valve - Answers - 8. D - see diagram
6) The third step of analyzing an ECG rhythm is:
, A. Evaluate the QRS complex
B. Determine the heart rate
C. Determine the regularity
D. Evaluate the P-wave - Answers - 9. D- The five steps in analyzing an ECG are: heart
rate, regularity, P-waves, QRS complex, and P-R interval.
7) Mrs. Rogers was experiencing a successful venipuncture when petechiae arose on
her forearm. This was the result of:
A. Allergy to the antiseptic used to cleanse the area
B. The needle puncturing completely through the vein
C. The tourniquet being applied too tightly
D. A rare genetic disorder - Answers - 10. C - When placing the tourniquet on the arm, it
is important to not tie too tightly as a petechiae may result. Petechiae are small, red,
smooth hemorrhagic spots appearing on a patient's skin. A hematoma occurs when the
needle has gone completely through the vein.
8) Which of the following is a test of the respiratory system?
A. ABGs
B. CSF
C. TSH
D. UA - Answers - 4. A - ABG or Arterial blood gas deals directly with the respiratory
system. CSF is cerebrospinal fluid and TSH is thyroid stimulating hormone. UA is a
distracter.
9) Urine C & S is typically ordered to detect:
A. Abnormal urine pH
B. Glucose spillage into the urine
C. Kidney damage
D. Presence of UTI - Answers - 5. D - C&S testing is used for UTI symptoms -must be a
mid-stream clean catch specimen.
10) Which statement describes proper centrifuge operation?
A. Centrifuge serum specimens before they have a chance to clot
B. Never centrifuge both serum and plasma specimens in the same centrifuge
C. Place tubes of equal size and volume opposite one another
D. Remove stoppers before placing tubes in the centrifuge - Answers - 6. C - Tubes
should be balanced in the centrifuge - tubes of the same size and volume are placed
opposite one another in the centrifuge holders
11) The PR intervals get progressively longer in:
A. 1st-degree AV heart block
B. 2nd-degree AV heart block, Type I
C. 3rd-degree AV heart block
D. Sinus dysrhythmia - Answers - 11. B - Longer P-R intervals indicate the impulse was
slowed down more than it should have been usually in the AV node. The PR intervals
get progressively longer in a 2nd degree heart block, Type 1. Absent P-R intervals
