Sputum smears of a patient with chronic pulmonary disease were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen method and analyzed in the bacteriological laboratory. Microscopy revealed red bacillus. What property of tuberculosis myobacteria was found?

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Microbiology An Introduction 13th Edition Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 5

Sputum smears of a patient with chronic pulmonary disease were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen method and analyzed in the bacteriological laboratory. Microscopy revealed red bacillus. What property of tuberculosis myobacteria was found?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acid resistance. Tuberculosis mycobacteria have a unique cell wall structure that makes them resistant to acid-fast staining methods like Ziehl-Neelsen. This is due to the high lipid content of their cell walls, specifically mycolic acids, which prevent the penetration of stains and acids. The red bacilli observed in the smear indicate that the mycobacteria retained the primary stain (carbolfuchsin) after acid-alcohol decolorization, confirming their acid resistance. Summary: - Choice A: Acid resistance is correct due to the unique cell wall structure of tuberculosis mycobacteria. - Choice B: Alkali resistance is incorrect as mycobacteria are not known for being resistant to alkalis. - Choice C: Alcohol resistance is incorrect as mycobacteria are not specifically resistant to alcohols. - Choice D: Encapsulation is incorrect as mycobacteria are not encapsulated bacteria.

Question 2 of 5

A patient presents with fever, chill and cough. From his sputum the ovoid Gram-negative bipolar- stained bacilli with a delicate capsule were secured. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Plague. The presence of ovoid Gram-negative bipolar-stained bacilli with a delicate capsule in the sputum is characteristic of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Plague presents with symptoms like fever, chills, and cough. Plague is a zoonotic disease usually transmitted through fleas from rodents. The other choices (B: Tuberculosis, C: Leptospirosis, D: Brucellosis) can be ruled out based on the specific description of the bacteria in the sputum. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is not Gram-negative. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira, which are spirochetes and not ovoid bacilli. Brucellosis is caused by Brucella species, which are small, coccobacilli and not ovoid bacilli.

Question 3 of 5

There was a record of some anthrax cases among animals in a countryside. The spread of disease can be prevented by means of immunization. What kind of vaccine should be used?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: BCG vaccine. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to prevent tuberculosis, which is caused by a bacterium related to anthrax. BCG vaccine can provide cross-protection against anthrax due to its similar mechanisms of action. STI live vaccine (choice A) is used for sexually transmitted infections, not anthrax. Salk vaccine (choice C) is used for polio, and Sabin's vaccine (choice D) is also for polio, not anthrax. Therefore, BCG vaccine is the most appropriate choice for preventing the spread of anthrax among animals in the countryside.

Question 4 of 5

A 65 y.o. woman complains of complicated mouth opening following foot trauma 10 days ago. Next day she ate with difficulties, there were muscles tension of back, the back of the head and abdomen. On the third day there was tension of all muscle groups, generalized convulsions every 10-15 min. What is the most probable diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most probable diagnosis is Tetanus (Choice A) based on the symptoms described. Tetanus is characterized by muscle stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth (trismus), muscle spasms, and convulsions. The progression of symptoms from muscle tension to generalized convulsions every 10-15 min is classic for tetanus. Tetania (Choice B) is similar but typically presents with more subtle muscle contractions rather than convulsions. Meningoencephalitis (Choice C) presents with fever, headache, and altered mental status, not the muscle symptoms described. Hemorrhagic stroke (Choice D) presents with sudden onset neurological deficits like weakness or sensory changes, not the muscle symptoms described.

Question 5 of 5

The causative agent of botulism causes severe food poisoning. Specify the most characteristic morphological feature of botulism causative agent:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Thin mobile bacillus with central spore. This is because the causative agent of botulism, Clostridium botulinum, is a gram-positive bacillus that typically appears as a thin rod-shaped bacterium with a central endospore. This characteristic morphology is essential in the identification of Clostridium botulinum. A: Gram-positive bacillus with subterminal spore - This is incorrect as Clostridium botulinum typically has a central endospore, not a subterminal one. B: Thick gram-positive non-spore-forming bacillus - This is incorrect as Clostridium botulinum forms endospores, although they are not thick. C: Gram-positive bacillus with terminal spore - This is incorrect as the spore of Clostridium botulinum is typically central, not terminal.

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