Question 1

Which specimen is quantitatively plated by using a calibrated loop?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stool 
B)  Sputum 
C)  Joint fluid 
D)  Urine 
A)  Stool 
B)  Sputum 
C)  Joint fluid 
D)  Urine D

Question 2

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 D

Question 3

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. C

Question 4

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 5

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) .

Question 6

The appropriate storage for a cerebral spinal fluid specimen is ____° C.

Accepted Answer

A)  4 
B)  22 
C)  37 
D)  -70 
A)  4 
B)  22 
C)  37 
D)  -70

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

An example of a beta-hemolytic gram-positive organism is:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

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 10

Colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniae appear alpha-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 beta-hemolytic on blood agar. 
C)  Something may be wrong with the strain of S. pneumoniae; it should be gamma-hemolytic on blood agar. 
D)  No discrepancy is present. S. pneumoniae should be alpha-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 beta-hemolytic on blood agar. 
C)  Something may be wrong with the strain of S. pneumoniae; it should be gamma-hemolytic on blood agar. 
D)  No discrepancy is present. S. pneumoniae should be alpha-hemolytic on blood agar.

Question 11

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 12

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

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

Question 14

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.

Question 15

Ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂)and a small amount (0.03%)of carbon dioxide (CO₂), is the 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 16

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 17

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 18

Which type of media is designed to distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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 20

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

Exam 5: Specimen Management

Which specimen is quantitatively plated by using a calibrated loop?

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

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

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

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:

The appropriate storage for a cerebral spinal fluid specimen is ____° C.

The definitive identification of clinically significant isolates is:

An example of a beta-hemolytic gram-positive organism is:

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

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

A principal role of the clinical microbiologist includes:

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol?

Direct examinations such as the Gram stain serve what purpose?

Rejection of inappropriately collected or transported specimens:

Ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂)and a small amount (0.03%)of carbon dioxide (CO₂), is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

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?

Specimens for microbiologic studies should be:

Which type of media is designed to distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics?

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

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

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

Immunochemical Methods Used for Organism Detection

Serologic Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Principles of Antimicrobial Action and 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 and Similar Organisms

Enterobacteriaceae

Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Other Organisms

Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Similar Organisms

Rhizobium, Ochrobactrum, and Similar Organisms

Chryseobacterium, Sphingobacterium, and Similar Organisms

Alcaligenes, Bordetella Nonpertussis, Comamonas, and Similar Organisms

Vibrio, Aeromonas, Chromobacterium, and Related Organisms

Sphingomonas Paucimobilis and Similar Organisms

Moraxella and Related Organisms

Eikenella and Similar Organisms

Pasteurella and Similar Organisms

Actinobacillus, Aggregatibacter, Kingella, Cardiobacterium, Capnocytophaga, and Similar Organisms

Haemophilus

Bartonella and Afipia

Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Helicobacter

Legionella

Brucella

Bordetella Pertussis, Bordetella Parapertussis, and Related Species

Francisella

Streptobacillus Moniliformis and Spirillum Minus

Neisseria and Moraxella Catarrhalis

Overview and General Considerations

Overview of Anaerobic Organisms

Mycobacteria

Obligate Intracellular and Non-culturable Bacterial Agents

Cell Walldeficient Bacteria: Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma

The Spirochetes

Laboratory Methods for Diagnosis of Parasitic Infections: Overview

Intestinal Protozoa

Blood and Tissue Protozoa

Other Protozoa

Intestinal Nematodes Roundworms

Tissue Nematodes Roundworms

Blood and Tissue Filarialnematodes

Intestinal Cestodes

Tissue Cestodes

Intestinal Trematodes

Liver and Lung Trematodes

Blood Trematodes

Overview of Fungal Identification Methods and Strategies

Hyaline Molds, Mucorales Zygomycetes, Dermatophytes, and Opportunitistic and Systemic Mycoses

Dematiaceous Melanizedmolds