ATI RN
mcgraw hill microbiology test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
A farmer developed a black, painless carbuncle with peripheral vesicular rash. Microscopy of pus revealed non-motile Gram-positive rods with a capsule. What microorganism caused the condition?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacillus anthracis. The black, painless carbuncle with peripheral vesicular rash is characteristic of cutaneous anthrax. Microscopy showing non-motile Gram-positive rods with a capsule aligns with Bacillus anthracis. The other choices can be eliminated: B: Staphylococcus aureus does not typically form a black lesion or have a capsule. C: Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not the described lesion. D: Bacillus subtilis is not associated with the specific clinical presentation mentioned.
Question 2 of 5
The nucleocapsid of viruses consists of
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the nucleocapsid of viruses is composed of the genome (genetic material) and the capsid (protein coat). The genome contains the viral genetic information, while the capsid protects the genome and helps in viral attachment and entry into host cells. Choice A is incorrect because the envelope is not part of the nucleocapsid but surrounds the capsid in some viruses. Choice C is incorrect as spikes are surface proteins on the viral envelope, not part of the nucleocapsid. Choice D is also incorrect because the envelope is external to the capsid and genome in many viruses.
Question 3 of 5
A child is presumably ill with diphtheria. A specimen of affected mucous membrane of his pharynx was taken for analysis. The smear was stained and microscopic examination revealed yellow rods with dark blue thickenings on their ends. What structural element of a germ cell was revealed in the detected microorganisms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Volutin granules. Volutin granules are metachromatic granules that stain dark blue with methylene blue or Leishman stain. In diphtheria-causing bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, these granules are typically seen as yellow rods with dark blue thickenings on their ends when stained. Volutin granules are storage inclusions composed of polymetaphosphate that serve as an energy reserve for the bacteria. The presence of these granules in the detected microorganisms indicates the characteristic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Summary of other choices: B: Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules that are not typically visible on stained smears. C: Capsules are outer protective layers that are not visible on stained smears. D: Spores are reproductive structures formed by certain bacteria, not typically seen in Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Question 4 of 5
Microscopic examination of a patient's duodenal contents revealed protozoa with two nuclei, four flagella, and a ventral adhesive disc. What is the likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Giardia lamblia. This protozoan matches the description of the causative agent because it has two nuclei, four flagella, and a ventral adhesive disc. Giardia lamblia is commonly found in the duodenum and causes giardiasis. The other choices can be eliminated because Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis, not the described symptoms. Entamoeba coli is a non-pathogenic amoeba found in the large intestine. Trypanosoma gambiense causes African trypanosomiasis and is transmitted by the tsetse fly, not matching the described characteristics.
Question 5 of 5
The causative agent of syphilis is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Treponema pallidum. 1. Treponema pallidum is a spirochete bacterium known to cause syphilis. 2. Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease, not syphilis. 3. Leptospira interrogans causes leptospirosis, not syphilis. 4. Rickettsia rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, not syphilis. Therefore, Treponema pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis, making it the correct answer.