Question 1

Direct examinations such as the Gram stain serve what purpose?

Accepted Answer

A) To determine the organism's genetic makeup 
B) To give the physician an early indication of what may be wrong with the patient 
C) To determine the type of flora in the throat and stool specimens 
D) To determine the organism's colonial morphologic features 
A) To determine the organism's genetic makeup 
B) To give the physician an early indication of what may be wrong with the patient 
C) To determine the type of flora in the throat and stool specimens 
D) To determine the organism's colonial morphologic features B

Question 2

Rejection of inappropriately collected or transported specimens:

Accepted Answer

A) is the sole responsibility of the laboratory and should be performed without regard to physician requests. 
B) should be initiated by laboratory personnel but approved by the nurses or physicians responsible for the care of the patient. 
C) is not in the best interest of patient care and should not be considered appropriate. 
D) is the responsibility of the nursing staff and should not be an issue for laboratory personnel. 
A) is the sole responsibility of the laboratory and should be performed without regard to physician requests. 
B) should be initiated by laboratory personnel but approved by the nurses or physicians responsible for the care of the patient. 
C) is not in the best interest of patient care and should not be considered appropriate. 
D) is the responsibility of the nursing staff and should not be an issue for laboratory personnel. B

Question 3

The best anticoagulant to prevent clotting of specimens,such as blood,bone marrow,and synovial fluid,which are submitted for recovery of all types of microorganisms,is:

Accepted Answer

A) sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS). 
B) heparin. 
C) citrate. 
D) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDT
A) . 
A) sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS). 
B) heparin. 
C) citrate. 
D) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDT
A) . A

Question 4

Which specimen culture,if positive,should be immediately reported to the clinician?

Accepted Answer

A) Urine 
B) Blood 
C) Throat 
D) Stool 
A) Urine 
B) Blood 
C) Throat 
D) Stool

Question 5

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms?

Accepted Answer

A) Selective 
B) Nutritive 
C) Differential 
D) Definitive 
A) Selective 
B) Nutritive 
C) Differential 
D) Definitive

Question 6

Colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniae appear α-hemolytic on blood agar media.Which one of the following statements explains this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

A) The lot of blood agar may be expired. 
B) Something may be wrong with the strain of S.pneumoniae since it should be β-hemolytic on blood agar. 
C) Something may be wrong with the strain of S.pneumoniae;it should be γ-hemolytic on blood agar. 
D) No discrepancy is present.S.pneumoniae should be α-hemolytic on blood agar. 
A) The lot of blood agar may be expired. 
B) Something may be wrong with the strain of S.pneumoniae since it should be β-hemolytic on blood agar. 
C) Something may be wrong with the strain of S.pneumoniae;it should be γ-hemolytic on blood agar. 
D) No discrepancy is present.S.pneumoniae should be α-hemolytic on blood agar.

Question 7

The definitive identification of clinically significant isolates is:

Accepted Answer

A) always necessary and should be carried out by the laboratory at all times. 
B) desirable in most cases;however,limited identification may sometimes be necessary and helpful. 
C) often not cost effective and should be performed only when requested by the attending physician. 
D) not necessary in most cases and should not be routinely performed by the laboratory. 
A) always necessary and should be carried out by the laboratory at all times. 
B) desirable in most cases;however,limited identification may sometimes be necessary and helpful. 
C) often not cost effective and should be performed only when requested by the attending physician. 
D) not necessary in most cases and should not be routinely performed by the laboratory.

Question 8

The microbiologist receives a sputum specimen for culture in the microbiology laboratory.Upon receipt the microbiologist should:

Accepted Answer

A) complete the set-up of media for identification of pathogens. 
B) complete a direct Gram stain and preliminary report. 
C) complete an abbreviated work-up of the specimen. 
D) complete a culture and definitive identification of pathogens. 
A) complete the set-up of media for identification of pathogens. 
B) complete a direct Gram stain and preliminary report. 
C) complete an abbreviated work-up of the specimen. 
D) complete a culture and definitive identification of pathogens.

Question 9

Specimens for microbiologic studies should be:

Accepted Answer

A) transported to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. 
B) collected in nonsterile specimen containers. 
C) transported in sealable,leak-proof plastic bags with a separate section for paperwork. 
D) sent to the laboratory on ice,no matter what type of specimen. 
A) transported to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. 
B) collected in nonsterile specimen containers. 
C) transported in sealable,leak-proof plastic bags with a separate section for paperwork. 
D) sent to the laboratory on ice,no matter what type of specimen.

Question 10

Increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%)and approximately 15% O₂ produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

Accepted Answer

A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles 
A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles

Question 11

The microbiologist receives a sputum specimen that upon preliminary Gram staining review of direct smear,contains numerous squamous epithelial cells and an excessive amount of contaminating normal flora.Based on the microbiologists knowledge,the microbiologist rejects the specimen and requests a new sample.The physician insists that the microbiologist culture the sample as received.The microbiologist should:

Accepted Answer

A) disregard the physicians request and discard the specimen. 
B) notify their supervisor and write-up the physician. 
C) set-up the culture as ordered noting the lack of specimen integrity that may compromise culture results. 
D) the microbiologist should have not called the physician and process the sample as received. 
A) disregard the physicians request and discard the specimen. 
B) notify their supervisor and write-up the physician. 
C) set-up the culture as ordered noting the lack of specimen integrity that may compromise culture results. 
D) the microbiologist should have not called the physician and process the sample as received.

Question 12

Routine microbiology cultures should include all of the following media except:

Accepted Answer

A) nonselective nutritive media. 
B) highly selective specialized media such as Löwenstein-Jensen agar. 
C) selective and differential media based on site of infection. 
D) an enrichment or supplemental broth. 
A) nonselective nutritive media. 
B) highly selective specialized media such as Löwenstein-Jensen agar. 
C) selective and differential media based on site of infection. 
D) an enrichment or supplemental broth.

Question 13

An example of a selective medium for gram-positive organisms is:

Accepted Answer

A) MacConkey agar. 
B) blood agar. 
C) colistin and nalidixic acid. 
D) thioglycollate broth. 
A) MacConkey agar. 
B) blood agar. 
C) colistin and nalidixic acid. 
D) thioglycollate broth.

Question 14

Between 5% and 10% hydrogen (H₂),5% to 10% CO₂,80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂),and 0% O₂ produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

Accepted Answer

A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles 
A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles

Question 15

An example of aβ-hemolytic gram-positive organism is:

Accepted Answer

A) Staphylococcus aureus. 
B) S.pneumoniae. 
C) Escherichia coli. 
D) Enterococcus. 
A) Staphylococcus aureus. 
B) S.pneumoniae. 
C) Escherichia coli. 
D) Enterococcus.

Question 16

Holding media,such as Stuart's medium and Amie's transport medium,are used to:

Accepted Answer

A) maintain the viability of microorganisms present in a specimen. 
B) support the growth and multiplication of any pathogenic organisms that are present. 
C) prevent clotting of specimens such as blood,bone marrow,and synovial fluid. 
D) allow pathogenic organisms to grow while nonpathogenic organisms die. 
A) maintain the viability of microorganisms present in a specimen. 
B) support the growth and multiplication of any pathogenic organisms that are present. 
C) prevent clotting of specimens such as blood,bone marrow,and synovial fluid. 
D) allow pathogenic organisms to grow while nonpathogenic organisms die.

Question 17

The macroscopic examination for receipt and review of specimens should include all of the following:

Accepted Answer

A) type of container,leakage,blood or mucus present. 
B) type of container,blood or mucus present,consistency and color. 
C) leakage,blood or mucus present,viscosity for fluids,color and consistency. 
D) type of container,blood or mucus present,viscosity for fluids,and color. 
A) type of container,leakage,blood or mucus present. 
B) type of container,blood or mucus present,consistency and color. 
C) leakage,blood or mucus present,viscosity for fluids,color and consistency. 
D) type of container,blood or mucus present,viscosity for fluids,and color.

Question 18

Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%)and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%)produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

Accepted Answer

A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles 
A) Aerobes 
B) Anaerobes 
C) Capnophiles 
D) Microaerophiles

Question 19

A principal role of the clinical microbiologist includes:

Accepted Answer

A) quickly and accurately communicating information about the patient in both verbal and written formats. 
B) assisting nurses and/or phlebotomists on the floor when drawing blood cultures. 
C) diagnosing and treating patients. 
D) designing software for microbial databases. 
A) quickly and accurately communicating information about the patient in both verbal and written formats. 
B) assisting nurses and/or phlebotomists on the floor when drawing blood cultures. 
C) diagnosing and treating patients. 
D) designing software for microbial databases.

Question 20

Selection of culture media for specific specimens includes a variety of media for all of the following reasons except:

Accepted Answer

A) a nutritive media is included to insure growth of all potential pathogens. 
B) a selective media is often included to suppress normal microbiota or other potential contaminating organisms. 
C) as enrichment media is utilized to cultivate organisms that do not grow on routine media. 
D) a back-up broth is included to provide inoculum for additional testing. 
A) a nutritive media is included to insure growth of all potential pathogens. 
B) a selective media is often included to suppress normal microbiota or other potential contaminating organisms. 
C) as enrichment media is utilized to cultivate organisms that do not grow on routine media. 
D) a back-up broth is included to provide inoculum for additional testing.

Exam 5: Specimen Management

Direct examinations such as the Gram stain serve what purpose?

Rejection of inappropriately collected or transported specimens:

The best anticoagulant to prevent clotting of specimens,such as blood,bone marrow,and synovial fluid,which are submitted for recovery of all types of microorganisms,is:

Which specimen culture,if positive,should be immediately reported to the clinician?

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms?

Colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniae appear α-hemolytic on blood agar media.Which one of the following statements explains this discrepancy?

The definitive identification of clinically significant isolates is:

The microbiologist receives a sputum specimen for culture in the microbiology laboratory.Upon receipt the microbiologist should:

Specimens for microbiologic studies should be:

Increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%)and approximately 15% O₂ produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

Routine microbiology cultures should include all of the following media except:

An example of a selective medium for gram-positive organisms is:

Between 5% and 10% hydrogen (H₂),5% to 10% CO₂,80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂),and 0% O₂ produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

An example of aβ-hemolytic gram-positive organism is:

Holding media,such as Stuart's medium and Amie's transport medium,are used to:

The macroscopic examination for receipt and review of specimens should include all of the following:

Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%)and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%)produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

A principal role of the clinical microbiologist includes:

Selection of culture media for specific specimens includes a variety of media for all of the following reasons except:

Microbial Taxonomy

Bacterial Genetics, metabolism, and Structure

Host-Microorganism Interactions

Laboratory Safety

Role of Microscopy

Traditional Cultivation and Identification

Nucleic Acid-Based Analytic Methods for Microbial Identification and Characterization

Overview of Immunochemical Methods Used for Organism Detection

Principles of Antimicrobial Action Resistance

Laboratory Methods and Strategies for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Similar Organisms

Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Similar Organisms

Bacillus and Similar Organisms

Listeria Corynebacterium and Similar Organisms

Erysipelothrix, Lactobacillus, and Similar Organisms

Nocardia, Streptomyces, Rhodococcus, Oerskovia, and Similar Organisms

Enterobacteriaceae

Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Other Organisms

Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Similar Organisms

Achromobacter, Rhizobium, Ochrobactrum, and Similar Organisms

Chryseobacterium, Sphingobacterium, and Similar Organisms

Alcaligenes, Bordetella Nonpertussis, Comamonas, and Similar Organisms

Vibrio, aeromonas, Plesiomonas Shigelloides, and Chromobacterium Violaceum

Sphingomonas Paucimobilis and Similar Organisms

Moraxella

Eikenella Corrodens and Similar Organisms

Pasteurella and Similar Organisms

Actinobacillus, Kingella, Cardiobacterium, Capnocytophaga, and Similar Organisms

Haemophilus

Bartonella and Afipia

Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter

Legionella

Brucella

Bordetella Pertussis and Bordetella Parapertussis

Francisella

Streptobacillus Moniliformis and Spirillum Minus

Neisseria and Moraxella Catarrhalis

Overview and General Considerations

Laboratory Considerations

Mycobacteria

Obligate Intracellular and Non-culturable Bacterial Agents

Cell Walldeficient Bacteria: Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

The Spirochetes

Overview of the Methods and Strategies in Parasitology

Intestinal Protozoa

Blood and Tissue Protozoa

Protozoa From Other Body Sites

Intestinal Nematodes

Tissue Nematodes

Blood Nematodes

Intestinal Cestodes

Tissue Cestodes

Intestinal Trematodes

Liver and Lung Trematodes

Blood Trematodes

Overview of Fungal Identification Methods and Strategies

Hyaline Molds, Zygomycetes, Dermatophytes, and Opportunistic and Systemic Mycoses

Dematiaceious Molds

Opportunistic Atypical Fungus: Pjirovecii

The Yeasts