Point of care testing and lab is 9 of the 150 scored items on the NHA CCMA. Answer 10 exam style questions on urine, stool and swab specimen collection and see exactly which concepts would cost you points on test day.
Start the 10 questions →Which instruction is correct for a clean-catch midstream urine specimen?
These questions cover clean-catch, timing, 24-hour, urine handling and physical. 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: A. Cleansing the urethral area and discarding the first portion flushes away skin and urethral bacteria. The midstream portion is caught in a sterile container without touching the inside of the cup or lid, giving a specimen suitable for culture.
Why not B: The first portion carries the most contamination and is discarded.
Why not C: Toilet water contaminates the specimen.
Why not D: Cleansing must happen before collection to be effective.
Exam tactic: Clean, start in the toilet, catch the middle, finish in the toilet.
Answer: C. Urine collected on first waking has been accumulating in the bladder overnight, so it is the most concentrated. Substances such as hCG and abnormal cells or casts are easier to detect.
Why not A: First morning urine is not sterile and can contain bacteria.
Why not B: No law requires first morning specimens for all urine testing.
Why not D: It is the most concentrated, not the most dilute.
Exam tactic: First morning = most concentrated.
Answer: C. The test starts with an empty bladder: the first void is discarded and the start time recorded. Every void for the next 24 hours is saved, ending with a final void at the same time the next morning, which is included. The container is kept refrigerated or on ice unless the lab says otherwise.
Why not A: A single specimen does not measure 24-hour output.
Why not B: Nighttime urine must be included for a true 24-hour total.
Why not D: This reverses the rule: discard the first, keep the last.
Exam tactic: 24-hour urine: discard the first, keep the last, keep it cold.
Answer: C. At room temperature bacteria multiply, pH rises, glucose falls, and cells and casts break down. Refrigeration slows these changes. The specimen is warmed to room temperature before reagent strip testing.
Why not A: An uncapped specimen left out degrades and can become contaminated.
Why not B: Freezing destroys cells and casts needed for microscopy.
Why not D: Water dilutes the specimen and invalidates results.
Exam tactic: Urine can't be tested promptly? Refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before dipping.
Answer: B. Urine specific gravity compares the density of urine to water (1.000). A typical range is about 1.005 to 1.030 depending on hydration. Values near 1.000 suggest very dilute urine; higher values suggest concentrated urine or dehydration.
Why not A: This range describes urine pH, not specific gravity.
Why not C: Values below 1.000 are impossible for urine, which is always denser than water.
Why not D: These values are far higher than normal urine.
Exam tactic: Specific gravity starts with 1.0. pH is the 5 to 8 number.
Answer: B. Each pad has a specific reading time. The strip is dipped briefly, excess urine removed by touching the edge to absorbent paper, and results compared with the color chart at the stated times. Strips are stored capped, dry, and in date.
Why not A: Moisture and light degrade reagents in an open bottle.
Why not C: Soaking leaches reagents from the pads.
Why not D: Colors continue to change, so late readings are inaccurate.
Exam tactic: Brief dip, blot, time each pad, keep the bottle capped.
Answer: B. The swab is rubbed firmly over the back of the throat and both tonsillar areas, especially any red or exudative areas, while a tongue depressor keeps the tongue down. Touching the tongue, cheeks, or teeth contaminates the swab with oral flora.
Why not A: The tongue is avoided to prevent contamination.
Why not C: Cheek cells and saliva dilute and contaminate the sample.
Why not D: Teeth and gums are not where streptococcal throat infection is sampled.
Exam tactic: Back of the throat and tonsils. Tongue down, swab firm.
Answer: A. Guaiac-based tests react to peroxidase activity, so red meat and some foods can cause false positives, while high doses of vitamin C can cause false negatives. Patients follow the kit's instructions and any provider guidance on medications such as NSAIDs. Immunochemical (FIT) tests have fewer dietary restrictions.
Why not B: Cards are stored as directed by the kit, typically at room temperature.
Why not C: Vitamin C can cause false-negative guaiac results.
Why not D: Toilet water and chemicals can alter the specimen; samples are taken from stool itself.
Exam tactic: Guaiac: watch diet and vitamin C. FIT: far fewer restrictions.
Answer: B. Early morning sputum is more abundant. Rinsing with water (not mouthwash or toothpaste) reduces oral contamination, and a deep cough brings up secretions from the lower respiratory tract rather than saliva.
Why not A: Saliva is not sputum, and toothpaste can affect the specimen.
Why not C: Food particles contaminate the specimen.
Why not D: Nasal secretions are from the upper airway, not the lungs.
Exam tactic: Morning, water rinse, deep cough. Saliva is not sputum.
Answer: D. Labels identify the patient with at least two identifiers and record when and what was collected and by whom. Requisitions carry the ordering information. Incompletely labeled specimens are commonly rejected.
Why not A: A first name alone cannot identify the patient.
Why not B: Diagnosis and insurance belong on the requisition, and they do not identify the specimen.
Why not C: The provider's name does not identify whose specimen it is.
Exam tactic: Two identifiers + date/time + source + initials.
The free 20 question diagnostic covers all 12 areas of the CCMA outline and shows the 3 fixes worth the most points.
Take the free diagnosticSee all 43 CCMA practice topics →