ATI RN
foundations in microbiology test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient with a long history of chronic gastritis undergoes a gastroscopy, which detects an ulcer in the duodenum area. Microscopic examination of the tissue biopsy developed Gram-negative curved bacteria and the rapid urease activity test of the biopsy material was highly positive. The most likely cause of the disease is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a known bacterium associated with causing duodenal ulcers. The presence of Gram-negative curved bacteria in the biopsy along with a highly positive rapid urease test is characteristic of H. pylori infection. Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, not duodenal ulcers. Campylobacter fetus is associated with gastroenteritis, not duodenal ulcers. Acinetobacter baumannii is a nosocomial pathogen, not typically associated with duodenal ulcers. In summary, the unique combination of findings in this case points towards H. pylori as the most likely cause of the disease.
Question 2 of 9
The mold that produces penicillin is an example of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: amensalism. Penicillin mold produces a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria, but it does not benefit nor harm the bacteria directly. This relationship is characterized by one organism (the mold) negatively affecting another (the bacteria) without any benefit or harm to itself. In parasitism (A), one organism benefits at the expense of another. In mutualism (B), both organisms benefit from the relationship. In commensalism (C), one organism benefits while the other is unaffected. Therefore, the mold producing penicillin fits the definition of amensalism.
Question 3 of 9
Which of the following viruses could be reactivated under immunosuppressive therapy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, "None of the above," because viruses like Parotitidis (mumps), Rubella, and Influenza A are not typically associated with reactivation under immunosuppressive therapy. Reactivation is more commonly seen in latent viruses like herpesviruses (e.g., herpes simplex, varicella-zoster), cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. These viruses can remain dormant in the body and reactivate when the immune system is compromised. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as the viruses mentioned in choices A, B, and C do not fit the criteria for reactivation under immunosuppressive therapy.
Question 4 of 9
The bacteria that produces a thick pseudomembrane in the throat is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the correct answer as it is the bacteria responsible for causing diphtheria, characterized by a thick pseudomembrane in the throat. 2. Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat but does not produce a pseudomembrane. 3. Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis and septicemia, not a throat pseudomembrane. 4. Bacillus cereus causes food poisoning, not throat-related symptoms.
Question 5 of 9
In which of the following GIT infections, the bacteria adhere to the intestine wall and produce toxins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC). ETEC adheres to the intestine wall and produces toxins, leading to symptoms like diarrhea. Shigella spp. invade intestinal cells, Salmonella spp. cause inflammation, and Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach lining. This makes them incorrect choices for bacteria adhering to the intestine wall and producing toxins.
Question 6 of 9
When a smear is stained by Burri-Gins method a mucous structure that is tightly bound with the cellular wall of bacteria and has well-defined outer boundaries can be detected. This element of a bacteria cell is called:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Capsule. A capsule is a mucous structure tightly bound to the bacterial cell wall with distinct outer boundaries. This structure helps bacteria evade the host immune system, resist desiccation, and adhere to surfaces. In contrast, spores are resistant structures formed by certain bacteria for survival, filaments are long chains of bacterial cells, and ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. Therefore, based on the characteristics described in the question, the most appropriate choice is A: Capsule.
Question 7 of 9
Gram-negative rods producing blue-green pigment and a fruity odor were isolated from a wound infection. What is the causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which gives a characteristic color to the colonies. The fruity odor is due to the production of a compound called 2-aminoacetophenone by P. aeruginosa. These features are classic for P. aeruginosa and help differentiate it from other Gram-negative rods. Proteus mirabilis (B) typically does not produce blue-green pigment or fruity odor. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) and Escherichia coli (D) also do not exhibit these specific characteristics associated with P. aeruginosa.
Question 8 of 9
The organism often called “flesh-eating bacteria†is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacterium is commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria" due to its ability to cause severe tissue destruction and necrotizing fasciitis. Streptococcus pyogenes produces toxins that break down skin and muscle tissues. Staphylococcus aureus (A) can cause skin infections but is not typically associated with necrotizing fasciitis. Staphylococcus epidermidis (B) is a normal skin flora and rarely causes infections. Propionibacterium acnes (D) is associated with acne and not known for causing tissue destruction. Therefore, the correct choice is Streptococcus pyogenes due to its unique ability to cause severe tissue damage and necrotizing fasciitis.
Question 9 of 9
A patient has food poisoning. Laboratory analysis revealed a culture of anaerobic gram-positive spore-forming bacteria. What is the most likely kind of the isolated causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: C. perfringens. This is because Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium commonly associated with food poisoning. It produces toxins that cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Proteus vulgaris (B) and P. mirabilis (C) are gram-negative bacteria not typically associated with food poisoning. Vibrio parahemolyticus (D) is a gram-negative bacterium causing seafood-related gastroenteritis, not spore-forming or anaerobic.