Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

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Study for the Medical Assistant Certification AMCA Exam. Test your knowledge with a variety of questions, complete with hints and detailed explanations. Be prepared for success!

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Which hormone is primarily tested to confirm pregnancy?

Estrogen
Progesterone
Luteinizing Hormone
HCG

The correct answer is: HCG

The hormone that is primarily tested to confirm pregnancy is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). HCG is produced by the placenta shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This hormone can be detected in the blood and urine of a pregnant individual, making it the most reliable indicator of pregnancy. HCG levels typically rise rapidly in the early stages of pregnancy, and its presence is what most pregnancy tests are designed to identify. The detection of HCG is so closely associated with pregnancy that its presence is often used in both home pregnancy tests and clinical evaluations to confirm pregnancy. In contrast, while estrogen and progesterone are important hormones in maintaining pregnancy and regulating the menstrual cycle, they are not used as primary indicators for diagnosing pregnancy. Luteinizing hormone is involved in the menstrual cycle and ovulation but does not indicate pregnancy status. Thus, the focus on HCG is what distinguishes it as the key hormone for confirming pregnancy.