ATI RN
microbiology an introduction tortora test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
A wound smear revealed Gram-negative rods producing blue-green pigment. The bacteria had a fruity odor. What is the causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to produce a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which is characteristic of the organism. Additionally, it has a distinct fruity odor due to the production of certain volatile compounds. Escherichia coli (B) does not produce blue-green pigment or have a fruity odor. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) and Proteus mirabilis (D) also do not exhibit these specific characteristics associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Question 2 of 5
Microscopic examination of a smear from a patient with diphtheria revealed dark blue-staining granules at the ends of rod-shaped bacteria. What staining technique was likely used?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisser's staining. Neisser's staining is used to detect metachromatic granules in bacteria, which appear as dark blue-staining granules at the ends of rod-shaped bacteria in diphtheria. This technique specifically targets these granules, making it ideal for identifying Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. Ziehl-Neelsen staining is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Gram staining is for classifying bacteria based on cell wall composition, and Giemsa staining is used for detecting parasites and certain blood cells, making them incorrect for identifying granules in diphtheria.
Question 3 of 5
A Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium was isolated from a patient with cholera. What is the most likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This is because Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium known to cause cholera. The characteristic shape and the association with cholera make it the most likely causative agent in this case. Explanation for incorrect choices: B: Shigella dysenteriae - Shigella dysenteriae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes bacillary dysentery, not cholera. C: Salmonella typhi - Salmonella typhi is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes typhoid fever, not cholera. D: Campylobacter jejuni - Campylobacter jejuni is a Gram-negative bacterium that commonly causes foodborne gastroenteritis, not cholera.
Question 4 of 5
A 35-year-old patient with a severe respiratory infection had sputum that showed Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacteria. What is the likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Campylobacter jejuni. This bacterium is Gram-negative and comma-shaped, commonly causing respiratory infections. Vibrio cholerae (A) causes cholera, not respiratory infections. Shigella dysenteriae (B) causes dysentery, not respiratory infections. Helicobacter pylori (D) is associated with gastric ulcers, not respiratory infections. Therefore, Campylobacter jejuni is the most likely causative agent based on the given information.
Question 5 of 5
A wound swab from a patient with a deep tissue infection revealed Gram-positive rods with terminal spores. What is the most likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium perfringens. This is because Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive rod bacterium that forms terminal spores. It is commonly associated with deep tissue infections and can cause gas gangrene. Bacillus anthracis (B) causes anthrax and does not typically form spores at the terminal end. Clostridium tetani (C) causes tetanus and Bacillus cereus (D) is more commonly associated with food poisoning. In this case, the presence of terminal spores along with the clinical presentation of a deep tissue infection points towards Clostridium perfringens as the most likely causative agent.