ATI RN
medical microbiology test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Taeniasis is an infection caused by organisms known as:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: tapeworms. Taeniasis is specifically caused by tapeworms of the Taenia species, such as Taenia solium. These parasitic worms infect the intestines of humans through consumption of contaminated food or water. Ringworms (choice A), hookworms (choice B), and pinworms (choice D) are all different types of parasites that cause distinct infections in the body, not taeniasis. Tapeworms are the only organisms among the choices that are directly associated with taeniasis due to their unique life cycle and mode of infection.
Question 2 of 9
An 18-year-old patient has developed candidiasis after the case of pneumonia treated with β- lactam antibiotic. What antimycotic agent should be prescribed?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Fluconazole. Rationale: 1. Candidiasis is a fungal infection, so an antimycotic agent is needed. 2. β-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin can lead to fungal overgrowth, necessitating an antimycotic. 3. Fluconazole is an antifungal agent effective against Candida species. 4. Streptomycin is an antibiotic, not an antifungal. 5. Phthalylsulfathiazole is an antibacterial sulfonamide, not an antifungal. 6. Ampicillin is an antibiotic, not an antifungal.
Question 3 of 9
The time in minutes in which 90% of the bacterial population will be killed at a given temperature is called the
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: decimal reduction time. This term represents the time required at a specific temperature to kill 90% of a bacterial population. It is a key parameter in microbiology to determine the effectiveness of a given heat treatment. Generation time (A) refers to the time it takes for a population to double in size. Thermal death time (B) is the shortest time needed to kill all organisms at a specific temperature. Sterilization time (C) is a general term and does not specifically refer to the time required to kill 90% of the population.
Question 4 of 9
A 25-year-old woman is complaining of burning and painful urination. The microbiological analysis detects significant bacterial growth only on blood agar and it is without hemolysis. Gram-positive cocci are observed on microscopic slides. Which bacterium is the most probable cause?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is Staphylococcus saprophyticus (choice B). This bacterium is a common cause of urinary tract infections in young women. It typically grows on blood agar without hemolysis and appears as Gram-positive cocci under the microscope. Proteus mirabilis (choice A) is known for urease production, causing alkaline urine. Staphylococcus aureus (choice C) is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections, not urinary tract infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (choice D) is an opportunistic pathogen often seen in nosocomial infections, not typically associated with urinary tract infections in healthy individuals.
Question 5 of 9
The bacitracin sensitivity test demonstrates
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.
Question 6 of 9
The lipopolysaccharides of gram negative bacteria consists of all the following types except:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Protoplast. Lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria consist of three main components: O-specific polysaccharide chain, R-specific polysaccharide chain, and Lipid A. Protoplast is not a component of lipopolysaccharides. O-specific polysaccharide chain is responsible for serotype specificity, R-specific polysaccharide chain varies among strains, and Lipid A is the endotoxin component. Protoplast refers to a bacterial cell devoid of a cell wall, which is not a component of lipopolysaccharides.
Question 7 of 9
Infection of several persons without any epidemiological link is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sporadic disease. When an infection occurs in several persons without any epidemiological link, it is considered sporadic. This term is used to describe isolated cases that do not form a specific pattern or cluster. It indicates random occurrences and lack of connection between the affected individuals. A: Epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease within a specific population or region, usually linked by a common source or exposure. C: Endemic signifies the constant presence of a disease within a specific population or region, with cases occurring at a relatively stable rate. D: Pandemic indicates a global outbreak of a disease affecting a large number of people across multiple countries or continents.
Question 8 of 9
Some of the viruses have a cubic type of symmetry, which in the shape of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Icosahedral structures. Icosahedral symmetry is commonly found in viruses due to its efficient way of packing genetic material. The icosahedron has 20 equilateral triangular faces, making it ideal for viral capsids. The other choices, B: Hexahedral, C: Tetrahedral, and D: Dodecahedral structures, do not accurately describe the cubic type of symmetry seen in viruses. Hexahedral refers to a six-faced polyhedron, tetrahedral to a four-faced polyhedron, and dodecahedral to a twelve-faced polyhedron, none of which align with the structure commonly observed in viruses.
Question 9 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.