A patient with a respiratory infection had sputum cultured on Endo agar, revealing green colonies. The bacteria were Gram-negative rods. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to produce green colonies on Endo agar due to its pyoverdin pigment. It is also a Gram-negative rod. P. aeruginosa commonly causes respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Escherichia coli (B) typically produces pink colonies on Endo agar and is more associated with gastrointestinal infections. Salmonella typhi (C) and Shigella dysenteriae (D) are both Enterobacteriaceae that usually do not produce green colonies on Endo agar and are more associated with gastrointestinal infections as well.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium is the most likely causative agent because it is a Gram-positive cocci in pairs with a capsule, which matches the description provided. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial pharyngitis and can present with sore throat. Summary of other choices: B: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci in clusters, not pairs, and is not typically associated with sore throat. C: Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus and more commonly causes meningitis or septicemia, not sore throat. D: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative rod bacterium, not a Gram-positive cocci, and is not a common cause of sore throat.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Giardia lamblia. Giardia is a flagellated protozoa with two nuclei, causing diarrhea. It is commonly found in contaminated water sources. Entamoeba histolytica (B) causes amoebic dysentery with trophozoites in stool. Trichomonas vaginalis (C) causes sexually transmitted infections, not diarrhea. Balantidium coli (D) is a ciliated protozoa causing dysentery with ciliated trophozoites. Therefore, Giardia lamblia is the most likely causative agent in this case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: stereomicroscopes. These types of microscopes, also known as dissecting microscopes, are designed for observing larger objects like insects or worms. They have a lower magnification power compared to electron microscopes (A), which are used to observe smaller objects at a much higher resolution. Dark-field microscopes (B) are used for observing live and unstained samples with high contrast, not specifically for larger objects. Fluorescence microscopes (C) are used to observe specimens that fluoresce under specific wavelengths of light, not necessarily for large objects like insects or worms. Therefore, the most suitable choice for observing fairly large objects like insects or worms is stereomicroscopes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile are all known for causing hospital-acquired infections. Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin infections and pneumonia. Escherichia coli can lead to urinary tract infections. Clostridium difficile is associated with gastrointestinal infections. Each of these bacteria has been linked to healthcare-associated infections due to their ability to spread in healthcare settings. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of these bacteria individually is known to cause hospital-acquired infections.