ATI RN
microbiology an introduction tortora test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
Bacteria that thrive in high salt concentrations are called:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: halophiles. Halophiles are bacteria that thrive in high salt concentrations due to their ability to regulate osmotic pressure. They have adapted mechanisms to survive in such extreme environments. Option A, acidophiles, thrive in acidic conditions, not high salt concentrations. Option B, thermophiles, thrive in high temperature environments. Option D, mesophiles, thrive in moderate temperature conditions, not necessarily high salt concentrations. Therefore, the correct choice is C as it specifically refers to bacteria that thrive in high salt concentrations.
Question 2 of 5
Microscopy of a sputum smear revealed acid-fast bacilli stained red using the Ziehl-Neelsen method. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presence of acid-fast bacilli stained red using the Ziehl-Neelsen method indicates a mycobacterial infection. Among the choices, tuberculosis is the most common mycobacterial infection affecting the lungs, presenting with acid-fast bacilli in sputum. Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, but it typically does not show up in sputum smears. Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which is not acid-fast. Pneumonia is a general term for lung inflammation caused by various pathogens, not specifically mycobacteria. Therefore, the correct diagnosis is tuberculosis based on the microscopy findings.
Question 3 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 4 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 5 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.