An unconscious patient aspirated gastric contents. Which of the following anaerobic microorganisms would likely now be found in her lower respiratory tract?
1) Legionella pneumophila
2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
3) Peptococci
4) Bacteroides fragilis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Peptococci and Bacteroides fragilis are anaerobic bacteria that are part of the normal flora of the human gastrointestinal tract. Aspiration of gastric contents can introduce these anaerobes into the lower respiratory tract, leading to infection. Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are not typically anaerobic; they are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacteria associated with different types of infections.

An Unconscious Patient Aspirated Gastric Contents