Question 1

Gram staining is done to:
1) classify organisms as Gram-positive or Gram-negative.
2) identify tuberculosis organisms.
3) speed up the organism culturing process.
4) help guide antibiotic therapy.

Accepted Answer

Gram staining is primarily done to classify organisms as Gram-positive or Gram-negative, which can in turn guide antibiotic therapy. It is not used to identify tuberculosis organisms or speed up the organism culturing process.

Question 2

Diagnostic thoracentesis can be used to:

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic thoracentesis is a procedure that involves inserting a needle or catheter into the pleural space to withdraw a sample of pleural fluid for laboratory analysis. This analysis can help to determine the cause of a pleural effusion, which is a buildup of fluid in the space between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity. It is not used to withdraw secretion or air from the lung.

Question 3

In response to a viral infection, the following can be expected to be seen in the white blood cell count:

Accepted Answer

Viral infections typically stimulate an increase in lymphocytes as they play a crucial role in the body's immune response to virus-infected cells. The other options are unlikely to be seen in response to a viral infection.

Question 4

Your patient has pneumonia and a right pleural effusion. If the pleural exudate fluid is infected, it will show:
1) a low protein level.
2) a high white blood cell count.
3) bacteria.
4) many red blood cells.

Accepted Answer

An infected pleural effusion will show a high white blood cell count (option 2) and bacteria (option 3). The protein level may be elevated due to the inflammatory response, so option 1 is incorrect. Red blood cells are not typically present in exudative pleural effusions, so option 4 is also incorrect.

Question 5

Culture and sensitivity tests:

Accepted Answer

Culture and sensitivity tests are performed to determine the antibiotic(s) best suited for combating an infection, by observing the growth of bacteria under various conditions, and testing its susceptibility to different antibiotics. The tests do not involve staining or identifying the DNA of organisms, but rather aim to identify the most effective treatment option for the infection.

Question 6

A 14-year-old patient has had a serious asthma attack. Her white blood cell count can be expected to show:

Accepted Answer

An asthma attack is associated with inflammation of the airways, which leads to an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in allergic and immune responses. Therefore, the patient's white blood cell count can be expected to show an increased eosinophil count.

Question 7

In a normal differential white blood cell (WBC) count, which of the following would have the highest number?

Accepted Answer

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in a normal differential WBC count, representing approximately 60% of the total. Basophils and eosinophils are both types of granulocytes and typically make up less than 1% of the total count, while lymphocytes make up around 30%. Therefore, neutrophils would have the highest number in a normal WBC count.

Question 8

After a thoracentesis procedure, it is important to monitor the patient for:

Accepted Answer

Thoracentesis is a procedure in which a needle is inserted into the pleural space between the lungs and chest wall to remove excess fluid or air. One of the potential complications of this procedure is a pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the pleural space and causes the lung to collapse. Therefore, it is important to monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of a pneumothorax after the thoracentesis procedure.

Question 9

For blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine values:

Accepted Answer

BUN and serum creatinine values that are higher than the normal range indicate renal failure. BUN is a measure of the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism in the liver. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. High levels of BUN and creatinine indicate reduced kidney function and impaired ability to eliminate waste products from the body.

Question 10

Therapeutic bronchoscopy is used for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic bronchoscopy can be used for all of the listed purposes except for bronchiectasis evaluation. Bronchiectasis is typically diagnosed by high-resolution CT scan and managed medically, and therapeutic bronchoscopy may be indicated in severe cases with complications such as hemoptysis. However, bronchoscopy itself is not a primary tool for diagnosis or management of bronchiectasis.

Quiz 8: Other Important Tests and Procedures

Gram staining is done to: 1) classify organisms as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. 2) identify tuberculosis organisms. 3) speed up the organism culturing process. 4) help guide antibiotic therapy.