Deck 5: Specimen Management

Question 1

Ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

A)Aerobes
B)Anaerobes
C)Capnophiles
D)Microaerophiles

Answer 1

A
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Aerobes grow best in the presence of ambient air.

Question 2

Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%) and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%) is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

A)Aerobes
B)Anaerobes
C)Capnophiles
D)Microaerophiles

Answer 2

D
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Microaerophiles grow best in the presence of reduced of oxygen and increased carbon dioxide.

Question 3

A principal role of the clinical microbiologist includes

A)communicating information about the patient quickly and accurately in both verbal and written formats.
B)assisting in providing accurate infectious disease diagnosis.
C)devising and updating laboratory testing and protocols to provide optimum disease management.
D)all of the above.

Answer 3

D
The role of the clinical microbiologist is many faceted, including in addition to conducting actual testing, such roles as monitoring testing results, devising protocols, and communicating effectively.

Question 4

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol?

A)Selective
B)Nutritive
C)Differential
D)Definitive

Question 5

Holding media such as Stuart's medium and Amie's medium are used

A)to maintain the viability of microorganisms present in a specimen.
B)to support the growth and multiplication of any pathogenic organisms present.
C)to prevent clotting of specimens such as blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid.
D)All of the above are true.

Question 6

Which type of media is designed to support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms?

A)Selective
B)Nutritive
C)Differential
D)Definitive

Question 7

Nutritive media is designed especially to

A)support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms.
B)distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics.
C)support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol.
D)enhance the growth of pathogens and discourage the growth of commensals.

Question 8

Aerobes grow best in

A)ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide.
B)increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O₂.
C)Five percent to 10% hydrogen (H₂), 5% to 10% CO₂, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂), and 0% O₂.
D)Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%) and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%).

Question 9

Definitive identification of clinically significant isolates

A)is always necessary and should be carried out by the laboratory at all times.
B)is desirable in most cases but sometimes limited identification may be necessary and helpful.
C)is often not cost effective and should be done only when requested by the attending physician.
D)is not necessary in most cases and should not be done routinely by the laboratory.

Question 10

Accurate and rapid presumptive identification

A)can many times provide valuable information to clinicians in the early stages of disease.
B)can many times be accomplished by simple procedures in the laboratory.
C)can sometimes shorten hospitalization time and save money.
D)may save lives of infectious disease patients.
E)All of the above are correct.

Question 11

Rejection of inappropriately collected or transported specimens

A)is the sole responsibility of the laboratory and should be done without regard to physician requests.
B)should be initiated by laboratory personnel but approved by nursing or physician staff responsible for the care of the patient.
C)is not in the best interest of patient care and should not be considered appropriate.
D)is the responsibility of nursing staff and should not be an issue for laboratory personnel.

Question 12

Selective media is designed especially to

A)support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms.
B)distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics.
C)support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol.
D)enhance the growth of pathogens and discourage the growth of commensals.

Question 13

Which type of media is designed to distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics?

A)Selective
B)Nutritive
C)Differential
D)Definitive

Question 14

Five percent to 10% hydrogen (H₂), 5% to 10% CO₂, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂), and 0% O₂ is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

A)Aerobes
B)Anaerobes
C)Capnophiles
D)Microaerophiles

Question 15

Increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O₂ is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?

A)Aerobes
B)Anaerobes
C)Capnophiles
D)Microaerophiles

Question 16

Specimens for microbiologic studies should be

A)transported to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
B)contained in specimen containers that are leak-proof.
C)transported within sealable, leak-proof, plastic bags with a separate section for paperwork.
D)clearly marked with a biohazard label.
E)All of the above are correct.

Question 17

Selection of media to inoculate for any given specimen is usually based on

A)the characteristics of the organisms most likely to be involved in the disease process.
B)the likelihood and types of normal flora present at the site.
C)the most likely pathogens of the suspected disease.
D)All of the above are true.

Question 18

The best anticoagulant that can be used to prevent clotting of specimens such as blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid that are submitted for recovery of all types of microorganisms is

A)sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS).
B)heparin.
C)citrate.
D)EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).

Question 19

Direct examinations such as the Gram stain serve what purpose?

A)To assess the quality of the specimen
B)To give the physician an early indication of what may be wrong with the patient
C)To guide the workup of the specimen
D)All of the above are correct.

Question 20

Differential media is designed especially to

A)support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms.
B)distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics.
C)support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol.
D)enhance the growth of pathogens and discourage the growth of commensals.

Question 21

Capnophiles grow best in

A)ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide.
B)increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O₂.
C)Five percent to 10% hydrogen (H₂), 5% to 10% CO₂, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂), and 0% O₂.
D)Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%) and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%).

Question 22

Microaerophiles grow best in

A)ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide.
B)increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O₂.
C)Five percent to 10% hydrogen (H₂), 5% to 10% CO₂, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂), and 0% O₂.
D)Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%) and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%).

Question 23

Anaerobes grow best in

A)ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O₂) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide.
B)increased concentrations of CO₂ (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O₂.
C)Five percent to 10% hydrogen (H₂), 5% to 10% CO₂, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N₂), and 0% O₂.
D)Reduced O₂ (5% to 10%) and increased CO₂ (8% to 10%).