Point of care testing and lab is 9 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on urinalysis, hematology and microbiology and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →Which reagent strip result detects white blood cells in urine?
These questions cover urinalysis, microbiology, hematology, chemistry and coagulation. Each one shows the correct answer and why every other option is wrong, so a miss tells you exactly what to review before the CCMA.
Prefer to read first? Every question from the practice set above, with the correct answer and why each wrong option is wrong.
Answer: B. Leukocyte esterase is an enzyme from white blood cells, and a positive result suggests WBCs in the urine, often with infection or inflammation.
Why not A: pH measures acidity.
Why not C: Specific gravity measures concentration.
Why not D: Urobilinogen relates to bilirubin breakdown.
Exam tactic: Leukocyte esterase = WBCs.
Answer: D. Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria. Cocci are round, spirilla are spiral, and vibrios are comma-shaped.
Why not A: Vibrios are comma-shaped.
Why not B: Spirilla are spiral.
Why not C: Cocci are round.
Exam tactic: Bacilli = rods.
Answer: B. A differential reports the percentage of each type of white blood cell, which helps evaluate infection, inflammation, allergy, and blood disorders.
Why not A: Glucose is a chemistry test.
Why not C: Blood typing is separate.
Why not D: RBC count is separate.
Exam tactic: Diff = WBC breakdown.
Answer: C. ALT and AST are liver enzymes; elevated levels can indicate liver cell injury.
Why not A: The pancreas is evaluated with amylase and lipase.
Why not B: Kidneys are evaluated with BUN and creatinine.
Why not D: The thyroid is evaluated with TSH.
Exam tactic: ALT/AST = liver.
Answer: D. The prothrombin time with international normalized ratio (PT/INR) monitors warfarin therapy, and results guide dose adjustments by the provider.
Why not A: A lipid panel measures cholesterol.
Why not B: Urinalysis tests urine.
Why not C: A1c monitors glucose control.
Exam tactic: Warfarin = INR.
Answer: C. Rapid mono tests detect heterophile antibodies produced in many cases of infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus.
Why not A: Strep tests detect strep antigen.
Why not B: Hemoglobin is a hematology test.
Why not D: Glucose is measured with a glucometer.
Exam tactic: Mono spot = heterophile antibodies.
Answer: B. When antiserum reacts with a matching antigen on red cells, the cells clump (agglutinate). No clumping means that antigen is absent.
Why not A: Color change is not the ABO reaction.
Why not C: Bubbling is not a typing reaction.
Why not D: Clear liquid without clumping means no reaction.
Exam tactic: Clumping = antigen present.
Answer: B. Triglycerides rise after eating, so fasting may be requested for accurate triglyceride and calculated LDL values, depending on the provider's order.
Why not A: HDL is less affected by a recent meal.
Why not C: Platelets are not a lipid.
Why not D: Hemoglobin is not a lipid.
Exam tactic: Food spikes triglycerides.
Answer: D. The physical exam includes color, clarity (appearance), and often specific gravity. Chemical testing uses reagent pads, and the microscopic exam looks at sediment.
Why not A: This is the microscopic exam.
Why not B: These are chemical tests.
Why not C: Culture is a microbiology test.
Exam tactic: Physical = look at it.
Answer: D. Most human pathogens grow best near body temperature, so cultures are commonly incubated at about 35 to 37°C.
Why not A: 4°C is refrigeration and slows growth.
Why not B: Freezing stops growth.
Why not C: 60°C is too hot for most pathogens.
Exam tactic: Body temp for body bugs.
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