Question 1

Which of the following is not a factor in increased incidence of fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Increasing antibiotic resistance is primarily associated with bacterial infections, not fungal infections. The other factors listed can contribute to the rise in fungal infections.

Question 2

Sinusitis is routinely treated with antibiotics, which is appropriate because most cases are due to bacterial infections.

Accepted Answer

Most cases of sinusitis are actually caused by viral infections, and antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics are typically reserved for cases suspected to be bacterial in nature or for severe or prolonged symptoms.

Question 3

Pertussis is characterized by

Accepted Answer

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is characterized by severe coughing attacks where the patient struggles to catch their breath. This is a hallmark symptom of the disease.

Question 4

An endemic fungal infection that is found in the semi- arid to dry soils in the southwestern United States and Mexico is

Accepted Answer

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as "Valley Fever," is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides, which is endemic to the semi-arid to dry soils of the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico.

Question 5

Vaccination against diphtheria is a toxoid vaccine against inactivated toxin, therefore, the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Corynebacterium diphtheriae may be high even as prevalence of the disease itself is low.

Accepted Answer

The diphtheria vaccine is a toxoid vaccine, which means it targets the toxin produced by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae, rather than the bacteria itself. This can lead to a situation where the disease is controlled because the toxin that causes the symptoms is neutralized, but the bacteria can still be carried and spread by individuals who are asymptomatic, as their immune system does not target the bacteria directly.

Question 6

The infectious agent that causes tuberculosis is

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis is caused by an acid-fast bacterium of the genus Mycobacterium, specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Question 7

A wildlife biologist might be more likely than the average person to contract which types of atypical pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Wildlife biologists are more likely to be exposed to the pathogens causing Q fever, psittacosis, and tularemia due to their close work with animals and environments where these bacteria can be found. Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, often found in farm animals; psittacosis is caused by Chlamydia psittaci from birds; and tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis, which can be transmitted by handling sick or dead animals.

Question 8

Recent reemergence of pertussis is due in part to

Accepted Answer

The DTaP vaccine provides immunity against pertussis, but this immunity can wane over time, particularly in adolescents and adults, leading to increased susceptibility and reemergence of the disease.

Question 9

In an immunocompromised patient with pulmonary or rhinocerebral invasive fungal disease, suspect

Accepted Answer

In immunocompromised patients, both aspergillosis and mucormycosis are common causes of invasive fungal diseases, particularly affecting the lungs and sinuses. Pneumocystis pneumonia, while also a concern in this population, typically presents differently and is not typically associated with rhinocerebral involvement.

Question 10

A diagnostic sign of typical pneumonia is consolidation which

Accepted Answer

The answer of A diagnostic sign of typical pneumonia is...

Question 11

A healthy respiratory microbiome is dominated by species from the phyla Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria.

Accepted Answer

The respiratory microbiome, similar to the gut microbiome, is indeed dominated by species from the phyla Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, which play a crucial role in maintaining respiratory health and preventing infections.

Question 12

Endemic mycoses are

Accepted Answer

Endemic mycoses are fungal infections that are restricted to specific geographic locations due to the fungi's ecological requirements. These fungi live in the soil or associated with specific plants and are not typically transmitted from person to person.

Question 13

Histoplasmosis should be suspected in cases of fungal respiratory infections found in

Accepted Answer

Histoplasmosis is endemic in the Mississippi and Ohio River valley regions, making it more common in individuals from these areas.

Question 14

A fungal species which can grow in varied climates and under diverse conditions is termed

Accepted Answer

Ubiquitous fungi are those that can grow in varied climates and under diverse conditions, meaning they are found everywhere.

Question 15

Latent tuberculosis

Accepted Answer

Latent tuberculosis occurs when Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria are contained by the immune system within granulomas, preventing the disease from progressing to an active state. This containment does not eliminate the bacteria, but it prevents the individual from showing symptoms or spreading the disease.

Question 16

The most common cause of atypical pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has all the following characteristics except

Accepted Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, known for causing atypical pneumonia, lacks a cell wall, is one of the smallest self-replicating organisms, and is difficult to visualize with a standard light microscope. However, it does not contain more genes than most other bacteria; in fact, its genome is relatively small due to its minimalistic lifestyle and dependence on host cells for many nutrients and functions.

Question 17

In most individuals, symptoms of the common cold and of influenza are virtually impossible to tell apart in severity.

Accepted Answer

While symptoms of the common cold and influenza can overlap, influenza symptoms are generally more severe and can include high fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough. The common cold typically presents with milder symptoms.

Question 18

An elderly patient with no recent hospitalizations presents with shortness of breath, chest pain, a deep productive cough, and evidence of consolidation. Acid- fast and Gram stains are performed on a sputum sample. No acid- fast bacteria are detected but Gram- negative, non- encapsulated bacteria are observed. A likely diagnosis is

Accepted Answer

The correct diagnosis is nontypable Hemophilus influenzae B, as it is a Gram-negative, non-encapsulated bacterium that can cause respiratory infections, particularly in elderly patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae is Gram-positive, Mycobacterium avium would be acid-fast, and Legionnaire's disease is caused by Legionella pneumophila, which requires special culture conditions and is not typically seen on a Gram stain. Influenza is caused by a virus, not a bacterium.

Question 19

To date, only zoonotic strains of hantavirus have been detected.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To date, only zoonotic strains of hantavirus...

Question 20

Which statement does not apply to pneumocystis pneumonia and its causative organism, Pneumocystis jirovecii?

Accepted Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii is not typically found in soil; instead, it is believed to be transmitted from person to person. The other statements accurately describe aspects of Pneumocystis pneumonia or its causative organism.

Quiz 16: Respiratory System Infections