Question 1

A specimen that is spread on a smear and appears to have a homogenous constitution is said to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Be clumped at different areas on the slide 
B)  Contain pathogens only in one visual field 
C)  Have material spread evenly throughout the slide 
D)  Contain normal florae 
A)  Be clumped at different areas on the slide 
B)  Contain pathogens only in one visual field 
C)  Have material spread evenly throughout the slide 
D)  Contain normal florae C

Question 2

A tech is working the night shift and receives a CSF specimen on an infant.The tech makes a Gram stain of the spinal fluid then reads the smear under the microscope.The report the tech sends to the physician reads as follows: "gram-negative bacillus,small and pleomorphic." What bacteria are being implied as the infecting agent?

Accepted Answer

A)  Escherichia coli 
B)  Legionella pneumophila 
C)  Staphylococcus aureus 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae 
A)  Escherichia coli 
B)  Legionella pneumophila 
C)  Staphylococcus aureus 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae D

Question 3

Culture results:

Accepted Answer

A)  Confirm the correctness of the therapeutic choices already made and implemented 
B)  Help the physician select an antibiotic for treatment 
C)  Must be confirmed before initiating antibiotic treatment for a patient 
D)  Help confirm the patient's high white blood count 
A)  Confirm the correctness of the therapeutic choices already made and implemented 
B)  Help the physician select an antibiotic for treatment 
C)  Must be confirmed before initiating antibiotic treatment for a patient 
D)  Help confirm the patient's high white blood count A

Question 4

All of the following steps should be used to prepare a smear from thick,granular,or mucoid materials EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Place a portion of the sample on the labeled slide, and press a second slide onto the sample to flatten or crush the components. 
B)  Once the material is flattened and sufficiently thinned, pull the glass slides smoothly away from each other to produce two smears. 
C)  Take an additional swab and rub it back and forth on the two glass slides to ensure the material is thin enough to read once it is stained. 
D)  If the material is still too thick, repeat the first three steps with another (third) glass slide. 
A)  Place a portion of the sample on the labeled slide, and press a second slide onto the sample to flatten or crush the components. 
B)  Once the material is flattened and sufficiently thinned, pull the glass slides smoothly away from each other to produce two smears. 
C)  Take an additional swab and rub it back and forth on the two glass slides to ensure the material is thin enough to read once it is stained. 
D)  If the material is still too thick, repeat the first three steps with another (third) glass slide.

Question 5

The most bothersome contaminating materials for the laboratory professional are those that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Make it hard to see the pathogenic bacteria through all the mucus 
B)  Contain microorganisms that will grow in culture and confuse the culture evaluation 
C)  Make processing the specimen through digestion and straining extremely time consuming 
D)  Appear to resemble fungus on the direct smear 
A)  Make it hard to see the pathogenic bacteria through all the mucus 
B)  Contain microorganisms that will grow in culture and confuse the culture evaluation 
C)  Make processing the specimen through digestion and straining extremely time consuming 
D)  Appear to resemble fungus on the direct smear

Question 6

If a symptomatic patient presents to a physician with an infection,the physician will treat the patient with antibiotics.What role does the laboratory play in antibiotic selection if the physician has already treated the patient before receiving the culture results?

Accepted Answer

A)  The physician has only given the patient antibiotic samples, and they will only last for a couple days-until the culture results are ready and a proper prescription can be written. 
B)  Physicians will only write antibiotic prescriptions for patients who are infected with a large number of bacteria, so the laboratory needs to tell the physician which antibiotic to use to treat the patient infected with small number of bacteria. 
C)  The physician can treat the patient for bacterial infections, but if the patient has a fungal infection, the physician relies on the laboratory to tell her or him if the patient has a fungal infection. 
D)  The physician expects the laboratory to affirm or reject the antibiotic choice made after the presumptive diagnosis. 
A)  The physician has only given the patient antibiotic samples, and they will only last for a couple days-until the culture results are ready and a proper prescription can be written. 
B)  Physicians will only write antibiotic prescriptions for patients who are infected with a large number of bacteria, so the laboratory needs to tell the physician which antibiotic to use to treat the patient infected with small number of bacteria. 
C)  The physician can treat the patient for bacterial infections, but if the patient has a fungal infection, the physician relies on the laboratory to tell her or him if the patient has a fungal infection. 
D)  The physician expects the laboratory to affirm or reject the antibiotic choice made after the presumptive diagnosis.

Question 7

Commonly encountered polymicrobial infections are:

Accepted Answer

A)  Perirectal abscesses 
B)  Indwelling catheter infections 
C)  Infant meningitis 
D)  Food poisoning 
A)  Perirectal abscesses 
B)  Indwelling catheter infections 
C)  Infant meningitis 
D)  Food poisoning

Question 8

A patient comes to the emergency department with a productive cough,shortness of breath,and a fever of 102° F.The patient is diagnosed with pneumonia.What organism commonly encountered in the microbiology laboratory can cause this disease?

Accepted Answer

A)  Streptococcus pneumoniae 
B)  Staphylococcus aureus 
C)  Escherichia coli 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae 
A)  Streptococcus pneumoniae 
B)  Staphylococcus aureus 
C)  Escherichia coli 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae

Question 9

Local materials that may be added in the criteria for accepting or rejecting a respiratory specimen include all the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mucus 
B)  Macrophages 
C)  Bacterial ropes 
D)  Ciliated columnar cells 
A)  Mucus 
B)  Macrophages 
C)  Bacterial ropes 
D)  Ciliated columnar cells

Question 10

Polymicrobial presentations in smears require more interpretation and must take into account all the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Smear background 
B)  Morphology of the organisms 
C)  Anatomic location of the suspected infection 
D)  Method used to make the smear 
A)  Smear background 
B)  Morphology of the organisms 
C)  Anatomic location of the suspected infection 
D)  Method used to make the smear

Question 11

A cytocentrifuge is an excellent method for preparing nonviscous fluids because:

Accepted Answer

A)  It deposits cellular elements and microorganisms from the specimen onto the surface of a glass slide as a monolayer. 
B)  It concentrates the protein evenly throughout the slide surface. 
C)  The sediment is mixed with 70% albumin before spreading it on the surface of a slide. 
D)  The cytocentrifuge not only spreads the specimen over the surface of a slide but also stains the specimen. 
A)  It deposits cellular elements and microorganisms from the specimen onto the surface of a glass slide as a monolayer. 
B)  It concentrates the protein evenly throughout the slide surface. 
C)  The sediment is mixed with 70% albumin before spreading it on the surface of a slide. 
D)  The cytocentrifuge not only spreads the specimen over the surface of a slide but also stains the specimen.

Question 12

What is the most common causative agent of gas gangrene?

Accepted Answer

A)  Staphylococcus aureus 
B)  Neisseria gonorrhea 
C)  Clostridium perfringens 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae 
A)  Staphylococcus aureus 
B)  Neisseria gonorrhea 
C)  Clostridium perfringens 
D)  Haemophilus influenzae

Question 13

Because cell wall-damaged bacteria,antibiotic-treated bacteria,or dead bacteria may appear falsely gram-negative,what are "critical cocharacteristics"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Color and cell wall composition 
B)  Growth characteristics 
C)  Shape and size 
D)  Size and color 
A)  Color and cell wall composition 
B)  Growth characteristics 
C)  Shape and size 
D)  Size and color

Question 14

When making slides of thin materials such as urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF):

Accepted Answer

A)  Spread the material once, let the specimen dry, then spread another layer on top to ensure enough specimen to stain. 
B)  Use the two-slide pull method to ensure evenly distributed material over the slides. 
C)  Dip a swab into the specimen, then roll the swab over the glass slide to ensure adequate coverage for staining. 
D)  Mark the area of the sample drop on the reverse side with a wax pencil, then place a drop of the specimen into the marked area. 
A)  Spread the material once, let the specimen dry, then spread another layer on top to ensure enough specimen to stain. 
B)  Use the two-slide pull method to ensure evenly distributed material over the slides. 
C)  Dip a swab into the specimen, then roll the swab over the glass slide to ensure adequate coverage for staining. 
D)  Mark the area of the sample drop on the reverse side with a wax pencil, then place a drop of the specimen into the marked area.

Question 15

What elements should be included in the direct examination of a microbial smear?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only those elements useful in characterizing the specimen 
B)  Only elements pertaining to the necrosis present in the specimen 
C)  Only those elements pertaining to the amount of gram-positive cocci present in the specimen 
D)  Only those elements of contaminating material present in the specimen 
A)  Only those elements useful in characterizing the specimen 
B)  Only elements pertaining to the necrosis present in the specimen 
C)  Only those elements pertaining to the amount of gram-positive cocci present in the specimen 
D)  Only those elements of contaminating material present in the specimen

Question 16

Why should the laboratory professional look for unexpected structures in smears?

Accepted Answer

A)  Large granules, grains, or fungal forms, such as spherules or fungal mats, can best be recognized at low power and give the tech and the physician an insight to the infectious process occurring at that site. 
B)  Small numbers of organisms in samples from sterile sites must be seriously considered. 
C)  The inflammatory cells that do migrate into the area of the infection can be lysed, and patients with leukopenia may also have fewer inflammatory cells within their inflammatory debris. 
D)  Debris is characteristic of particular organisms. 
A)  Large granules, grains, or fungal forms, such as spherules or fungal mats, can best be recognized at low power and give the tech and the physician an insight to the infectious process occurring at that site. 
B)  Small numbers of organisms in samples from sterile sites must be seriously considered. 
C)  The inflammatory cells that do migrate into the area of the infection can be lysed, and patients with leukopenia may also have fewer inflammatory cells within their inflammatory debris. 
D)  Debris is characteristic of particular organisms.

Question 17

When using a swab to make a smear:

Accepted Answer

A)  It is okay to use the swab after it has been used to inoculate culture media. 
B)  Ensure the swab has not been used to inoculate culture media first. 
C)  Rub the swab back and forth on the glass slide to smear the specimen for easier viewing. 
D)  Dip the swab in thioglycollate broth for easier smearing on the slide. 
A)  It is okay to use the swab after it has been used to inoculate culture media. 
B)  Ensure the swab has not been used to inoculate culture media first. 
C)  Rub the swab back and forth on the glass slide to smear the specimen for easier viewing. 
D)  Dip the swab in thioglycollate broth for easier smearing on the slide.

Question 18

Contaminating materials include all the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Crystallized Gram stain 
B)  Materials not coming from the collection site 
C)  Materials not contributed by the inflammatory response from the tissues 
D)  Materials not likely to contain the infecting organism 
A)  Crystallized Gram stain 
B)  Materials not coming from the collection site 
C)  Materials not contributed by the inflammatory response from the tissues 
D)  Materials not likely to contain the infecting organism

Question 19

To assist the physician and the laboratory professional in interpreting sputum smears,all of the following local material are quantitated EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Microbial florae 
B)  Neutrophils 
C)  Epithelial cells 
D)  Mucus 
A)  Microbial florae 
B)  Neutrophils 
C)  Epithelial cells 
D)  Mucus

Question 20

All of the following are signs of acute inflammation on a bacterial smear EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mucus 
B)  Red blood cells 
C)  Neutrophils 
D)  Protein background 
A)  Mucus 
B)  Red blood cells 
C)  Neutrophils 
D)  Protein background

Exam 7: Microscopic Examination of Infected Materials

A specimen that is spread on a smear and appears to have a homogenous constitution is said to:

Culture results:

All of the following steps should be used to prepare a smear from thick,granular,or mucoid materials EXCEPT:

The most bothersome contaminating materials for the laboratory professional are those that:

If a symptomatic patient presents to a physician with an infection,the physician will treat the patient with antibiotics.What role does the laboratory play in antibiotic selection if the physician has already treated the patient before receiving the culture results?

Commonly encountered polymicrobial infections are:

A patient comes to the emergency department with a productive cough,shortness of breath,and a fever of 102° F.The patient is diagnosed with pneumonia.What organism commonly encountered in the microbiology laboratory can cause this disease?

Local materials that may be added in the criteria for accepting or rejecting a respiratory specimen include all the following EXCEPT:

Polymicrobial presentations in smears require more interpretation and must take into account all the following EXCEPT:

A cytocentrifuge is an excellent method for preparing nonviscous fluids because:

What is the most common causative agent of gas gangrene?

Because cell wall-damaged bacteria,antibiotic-treated bacteria,or dead bacteria may appear falsely gram-negative,what are "critical cocharacteristics"?

When making slides of thin materials such as urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF):

What elements should be included in the direct examination of a microbial smear?

Why should the laboratory professional look for unexpected structures in smears?

When using a swab to make a smear:

Contaminating materials include all the following EXCEPT:

To assist the physician and the laboratory professional in interpreting sputum smears,all of the following local material are quantitated EXCEPT:

All of the following are signs of acute inflammation on a bacterial smear EXCEPT:

Bacterial Cell Structure, physiology, Metabolism, and Genetics

Host-Parasite Interaction

Laboratory Role in Infection Control

Control of Microorganisms

Performance Improvement in the Microbiology Laboratory

Specimen Collection and Processing

Use of Colonial Morphology for the Presumptive Identification of Microorganisms

Biochemical Identification of Gram-Negative Bacteria

Immunodiagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Applications of Molecular Diagnostics

Antibiotic Mechanisms of Action and Resistance

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Staphylococci

Streptococcus, enterococcus, and Other Catalase-Negative Gram-Positive Cocci

Aerobic Gram-Positive Bacilli

Neisseria Species and Moraxella Catarrhalis

Haemophilus and Other Fastidious Gram-Negative Bacilli

Enterobacteriaceae

Vibrio,aeromonas,plesiomonas and Campylobacter Species

Nonfermenting and Miscellaneous Gram-Negative Bacilli

Anaerobes of Clinical Importance

Spirochetes

Chlamydia and Rickettsia

Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Other Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria

Medically Significant Fungi

Diagnostic Parasitology

Clinical Virology

Agents of Bioterror

Biofilms: Architects of Disease

Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Poisoning

Infections of the Central Nervous System

Bacteremia and Sepsis

Urinary Tract Infections

Genital Infections and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Infections in Special Populations

Zoonotic Diseases

Ocular Infections

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