On examination of a 6-year-old child the doctor noticed greyish film on the child's tonsils. Microscopy of the smear stained by Neisser method detected there Corynebacterium diphtheria. What morphologic feature was the most indicative for determining the type of the agent?

Questions 81

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

medical microbiology test bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

On examination of a 6-year-old child the doctor noticed greyish film on the child's tonsils. Microscopy of the smear stained by Neisser method detected there Corynebacterium diphtheria. What morphologic feature was the most indicative for determining the type of the agent?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Polar placement of volutin granules. This feature is indicative of Corynebacterium diphtheria. Volutin granules are metachromatic granules found in the polar region of the bacterial cell, which is characteristic of this species. This feature helps differentiate it from other bacteria. Explanation: A: Fence-like position of the agent's cells is not a specific morphologic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. B: Spores that exceed cells in diameter is not a characteristic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. D: Presence of the capsule is not a distinguishing morphologic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. In summary, the polar placement of volutin granules is the most indicative feature for determining the type of agent as Corynebacterium diphtheria, making it the correct choice.

Question 2 of 9

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.

Question 3 of 9

A laboratory received a material from a patient's wound. Preliminary diagnosis is gaseous gangrene. What microbiological method should be applied to determine species of causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacteriological. This method involves isolating and culturing the causative bacteria from the wound material to determine the species. This allows for further testing to confirm gaseous gangrene and identify the specific pathogen. Choice B: Allergic is incorrect as it pertains to immune responses, not identifying bacteria. Choice C: Bacterioscopic is incorrect as it refers to microscopic examination of bacteria, not species identification. Choice D: Serological is incorrect as it involves testing for antibodies in the blood, not identifying the causative agent directly.

Question 4 of 9

A man is being treated for chronic pneumonia for a long time. Microscopy of sputum smears stained using Ziehl-Nielsen method reveals red bacilli 0.25x4 microns in size, located separately or sometimes in small clusters. What disease can be suspected?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pulmonary tuberculosis. The presence of red bacilli stained with Ziehl-Nielsen method indicates acid-fast bacteria, which are characteristic of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. The size and appearance of the bacilli described match those of M. tuberculosis. Chronic pneumonia, along with the specific staining pattern, strongly suggests tuberculosis as the likely diagnosis. Explanation for other choices: A: Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which would not show red bacilli on Ziehl-Nielsen staining. B: Pulmonary actinomycosis is caused by Actinomyces species, not acid-fast bacteria like M. tuberculosis. C: Pulmonary candidiasis is caused by Candida species, which are fungi and do not appear as red bacilli on staining.

Question 5 of 9

Which of these is an early symptom of rabies?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all of these symptoms are early signs of rabies. A short period of depression, nausea, and restlessness are common initial symptoms of rabies infection. These symptoms may be followed by more severe manifestations, such as aggression, confusion, and difficulty swallowing. Therefore, option D is the correct choice as it encompasses all the early symptoms of rabies. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they focus on individual symptoms, whereas rabies typically presents with a combination of these early signs.

Question 6 of 9

Infections of CNS can be caused by:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three choices, Clostridium botulinum, Morbillivirus morbillorum, and Clostridium tetani, can cause infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Clostridium botulinum can lead to botulism, which affects the nervous system. Morbillivirus morbillorum can cause measles, which can lead to viral encephalitis. Clostridium tetani can cause tetanus, which affects the CNS by producing neurotoxins. Therefore, all three choices are pathogens that can cause infections of the CNS.

Question 7 of 9

The cell organelles found only in algae and plant cells are:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: chloroplasts. Algae and plant cells have chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. This organelle contains chlorophyll, enabling these cells to convert sunlight into energy. Mitochondria (B) are found in all eukaryotic cells, not specific to algae and plants. Vacuoles (C) are present in plant cells but also in other eukaryotic cells. Vesicles (D) are membrane-bound sacs found in all types of cells for transport and storage purposes, not unique to algae and plants. Therefore, A is the correct answer.

Question 8 of 9

Which of the following bacteria can survive in extreme temperatures?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thermophiles. Thermophiles are bacteria that can survive in extreme temperatures, typically between 45°C to 80°C. This ability is due to their unique enzymes and cell membrane structures that are adapted to high temperatures. Escherichia coli (A) is a common bacterium found in the human gut and does not thrive in extreme temperatures. Clostridium tetani (C) is a bacterium that causes tetanus and prefers moderate temperatures. Salmonella enterica (D) is a pathogenic bacterium that does not thrive in extreme temperatures. Therefore, Thermophiles are the only bacteria on the list known for surviving in extreme temperatures.

Question 9 of 9

A patient of oral surgery department has developed a purulent complication. Bacteriological analysis of the wound discharge allowed to isolate a culture producing a blue-and-green pigment. Which of the listed microorganisms may be a causative agent of the infection?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which is characteristic of its colonies. This bacterium is commonly associated with purulent infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Proteus vulgaris (B) is not typically associated with blue-green pigment production. Bacillus subtilis (C) is not a common pathogen in wound infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) does not produce blue-green pigment and is more commonly associated with respiratory infections. Therefore, based on the clinical presentation and pigment production, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most likely causative agent in this case.

Access More Questions!

ATI RN Basic


$89/ 30 days

ATI RN Premium


$150/ 90 days