ATI RN
foundations in microbiology test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
The bacterium Yersinia pestis is responsible for causing what disease?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Plague. Yersinia pestis is the bacterium responsible for causing the bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through infected flea bites or handling infected animals. Tonsillitis (A) is commonly caused by streptococcal bacteria, leprosy (B) is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, and rat fever (D) is another term for leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira bacteria.
Question 2 of 9
Examination of a smear from a chancre revealed mobile, long, spiral microorganisms with 8-12 regular coils. What is the causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Treponema. The characteristics described match Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. Treponema has long, spiral shape with 8-12 regular coils. Leptospira (B) is a spirochete but has fewer coils and causes leptospirosis. Borrelia (C) is another spirochete but typically has irregular coils and causes Lyme disease. Vibrios (D) are curved rods and not spirochetes.
Question 3 of 9
A blood culture from a patient with sepsis revealed Gram-positive cocci in pairs. The bacteria were catalase-negative and alpha-hemolytic. What is the most likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is because the bacterium is Gram-positive cocci in pairs, catalase-negative, and alpha-hemolytic, which are characteristic features of S. pneumoniae. The other choices can be ruled out based on specific characteristics: B) Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive, C) Enterococcus faecalis is gamma-hemolytic, and D) Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus. Therefore, based on the given information, S. pneumoniae is the most likely causative agent of the sepsis.
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following microorganisms can cause skin infections?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: All are correct. Candida albicans can cause skin infections such as candidiasis. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are common bacteria that can also cause skin infections. Therefore, choice B is correct as all three microorganisms listed can cause skin infections. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because individually, each of the microorganisms listed can cause skin infections.
Question 5 of 9
The organisms to be identified have a nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane. Genetic material is concentrated predominantly in the chromosomes which consist of DNA strands and protein molecules. These cells divide mitotically. Identify these organisms:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. The presence of a nucleus with a nuclear membrane indicates eukaryotic cells. 2. Eukaryotes have genetic material in chromosomes made of DNA and proteins. 3. Mitotic division is characteristic of eukaryotic cells. 4. Therefore, the organisms described are eukaryotes. Summary: - Bacteriophages (B) are viruses that infect bacteria. - Prokaryotes (C) lack a nucleus and their genetic material is not organized into chromosomes. - Viruses (D) are not considered living organisms and do not have a nucleus or chromosomes.
Question 6 of 9
Poxviruses are DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Poxviruses are indeed DNA viruses, confirmed by scientific research. Step 2: Poxviruses replicate entirely in the cytoplasm, unlike most DNA viruses. Step 3: Cytoplasmic replication is a unique characteristic of poxviruses. Step 4: The replication process of poxviruses in the cytoplasm is well-documented. Step 5: Therefore, option A (TRUE) is correct, as poxviruses replicate in the cytoplasm exclusively.
Question 7 of 9
How is viral multiplication detected in cell culture?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because viral multiplication in cell culture can be detected by observing a specific cytopathic effect (A) caused by viral infection in cells and by using an immunofluorescence detection method (B) to visualize viral antigens within the cells. Choice C, the characteristic type of viral colonies, is incorrect as viral multiplication is not typically detected by observing viral colonies in cell culture. Option D is the correct choice as both A and B methods are commonly used to detect viral multiplication in cell culture.
Question 8 of 9
Microscopic examination of a smear from a chancre revealed spiral microorganisms. The bacteria were thin and mobile with 8-12 regular coils. What is the likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct diagnosis is A: Syphilis. The spiral microorganisms described are characteristic of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. The thin and mobile bacteria with 8-12 regular coils match the morphology of Treponema pallidum. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans, which are thicker and have hook-like ends, different from the described bacteria. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which has a different appearance than the thin, coiled bacteria in the smear. Relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia recurrentis, which typically have irregular coils, unlike the regular coils seen in the smear.
Question 9 of 9
Gram-negative rods producing blue-green pigment and a fruity odor were isolated from a wound infection. What is the causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is known for producing a blue-green pigment called pyocyanin, which gives a characteristic color to the colonies. The fruity odor is due to the production of a compound called 2-aminoacetophenone by P. aeruginosa. These features are classic for P. aeruginosa and help differentiate it from other Gram-negative rods. Proteus mirabilis (B) typically does not produce blue-green pigment or fruity odor. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) and Escherichia coli (D) also do not exhibit these specific characteristics associated with P. aeruginosa.