Solved

A Stool Sample from the Patient Is Cultured, and Confirms

Question 68

Multiple Choice
A stool sample from the patient is cultured, and confirms the presence of Clostridium botulinum. In addition, the stool sample as well as leftover stew and green beans are tested for botulinum toxin—toxin is present in the green beans and in the stool sample, but not in the stew. These results confirm the diagnosis of foodborne botulism. You are one of the RNs taking care of the patient—he remains in the hospital for several weeks, before being discharged.
-Why would the home-canned green beans rather than the tomato-beef stew be a possible source of C. botulinum?

A stool sample from the patient is cultured, and confirms the presence of Clostridium botulinum. In addition, the stool sample as well as leftover stew and green beans are tested for botulinum toxin—toxin is present in the green beans and in the stool sample, but not in the stew. These results confirm the diagnosis of foodborne botulism. You are one of the RNs taking care of the patient—he remains in the hospital for several weeks, before being discharged.
-Why would the home-canned green beans rather than the tomato-beef stew be a possible source of C. botulinum?


A) Beans are low-acid. Any C. botulinum endospores that survived the home-canning process could germinate in the cans, giving rise to vegetative cells that produce botulinum toxin. 
B) Canning creates an anaerobic environment. Any spores surviving the canning process could germinate, giving rise to vegetative cells that produce botulinum toxin.
C) The acidic pH of the tomato-beef stew would likely inhibit that growth of vegetative Clostridium botulinum cells. Low-acidity beans would not inhibit the growth of these cells.
D) The tomato-beef stew was not canned. The presence of oxygen in this food would prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which is a obligate anaerobe.
E) All of the answer choices are correct.

Correct Answer:

verifed

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Related Questions

Unlock this Answer For Free Now!

View this answer and more for free by performing one of the following actions

qr-code

Scan the QR code to install the App and get 2 free unlocks

upload documents

Unlock quizzes for free by uploading documents