A sputum specimen is received in the microbiology laboratory.Gram staining and a microscopic examination reveal a paired,spherical,purple-stained organism.It can be reasonably assumed that this organism is which of the following?
A) Gram-negative bacilli
B) Gram-negative staphylococci
C) Gram-positive diplococci
D) Gram-positive bacilli

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diplococci are spherically shaped bacteria that occur in pairs; gram-positive organisms appear blue or violet.Gram-negative organisms have a red appearance from the counterstain.Staphylococci are cocci that occur in irregular clusters.Bacilli are rodlike organisms.

A Sputum Specimen Is Received in the Microbiology Laboratory