CDC stands for:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is a U.S. government agency responsible for protecting public health and safety. The correct answer is the only choice that accurately reflects the agency's purpose. Choice B (Children's Disease Center) is incorrect because the CDC's scope is not limited to children's health. Choice C (Central Disaster Control Center) is incorrect as the CDC primarily focuses on disease prevention. Choice D (Central Drug Evaluation and Control Center) is incorrect as the CDC's main focus is not on drug evaluation. Thus, the correct answer is A as it aligns with the CDC's mission and responsibilities.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Botulism typically presents with symptoms such as dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, diplopia, and descending flaccid paralysis. Chills, fever, and loss of consciousness are not typical of botulism. Botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which affects the nervous system leading to muscle weakness and paralysis, not fever or altered consciousness. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The bacitracin sensitivity test is used to differentiate between different types of streptococci. Group A streptococci are sensitive to bacitracin, which means they will show inhibition around the bacitracin disk. This sensitivity is a characteristic feature of group A streptococci and helps in their identification. Staphylococci, pneumococci, and intestinal bacteria do not exhibit this sensitivity to bacitracin. Therefore, the correct answer is D: group A streptococci.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism by blocking nerve functions. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, not botulism. Staphylococcus aureus produces toxins that cause food poisoning, not botulism. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not botulism. Therefore, the correct choice is Clostridium botulinum because it is the specific bacterium responsible for producing the toxin that leads to botulism.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: autoclaving. Autoclaving is a process that uses high pressure and steam to achieve temperatures above the boiling point of water, typically around 121-134°C. This high heat and pressure are effective in destroying spore forms of microorganisms, which are highly resistant structures that can withstand boiling temperatures. Autoclaving ensures the complete destruction of spores, making it an effective method for sterilization. Rationale: A: Pasteurization uses lower heat compared to autoclaving and is not sufficient to destroy spore forms. C: Freezing does not effectively destroy spore forms, as most microorganisms can survive freezing temperatures. D: Boiling, while effective for many microorganisms, may not be sufficient to destroy spore forms due to their high resistance, unlike autoclaving.