Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Patient Care Technician Certification. Use our flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations, and ensure exam readiness.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What does the term distal mean?

Closer to the midline
Farthest from the point of attachment
Nearer to the point of attachment
At the surface

The correct answer is: Farthest from the point of attachment

The term "distal" is used in anatomical terminology to describe a location that is farther from the point of attachment of a structure or a limb. For example, in the context of the arms and legs, the wrist is distal to the elbow, meaning it is located further away from where the arm attaches to the torso. Understanding this term is crucial in fields related to medicine and healthcare, as it aids in accurately describing the relative locations of various body parts and their relationships to one another. The other terms provided, such as being closer to the midline or nearer to the point of attachment, refer to opposite concepts and help differentiate relative positions in the body's anatomical language. Terms like "proximal" denote locations closer to the attachment point, while "superficial" refers to locations near the surface of the body. Recognizing these distinctions enhances clarity in communication among healthcare professionals regarding bodily orientation and conditions.