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Chapter 01: Microbial Taxonomy
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
- Taxonomy can be described as a system that:
a. | classifies, names, and identifies microorganisms in a consistent manner. |
b. | classifies microorganisms, based on their genetic makeup. |
c. | classifies microorganisms, based on their phenotypic makeup. |
d. | classifies microorganisms, based on their cellular and colonial traits. |
ANS:Â A
Taxonomy is a system that consistently classifies, names, and identifies microorganisms. Although organisms have genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, as well as cellular and colonial characteristics, answer A best describes the term taxonomy.
REF:Â Â 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- The most basic taxonomic group that can be defined as a collection of bacterial strains that share many common physiologic and genetic features is:
a. | genus. |
b. | species. |
c. | class. |
d. | kingdom. |
ANS:Â B
Bacteria are classified into the same species, based on their physiologic and genetic similarities and their differences from bacteria in other species.
REF:Â Â 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Colonial and microscopic morphologic properties, along with the pigmentation of colonies, would belong to a microorganism group of ________ characteristics.
a. | genotypic |
b. | taxonomic |
c. | phenotypic |
d. | subspecies |
ANS:Â C
Phenotypic characteristics are the observable properties of the subject.
REF:  2–3                OBJ:  Level: Application
- Which binomial name is correctly written?
a. | Escherichia coli |
b. | Escherichia coli |
c. | Escherichia coli |
d. | Escherichia Coli |
ANS:Â A
The genus should be capitalized, and the species should be in lowercase. The entire name is either italicized or underlined.
REF:Â Â 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- The use of a double genus in a microorganism’s label, such as Burkholderia (Pseudomonas), indicates that the bacterium:
a. | does not fit well in either group but has some characteristics of both groups. |
b. | is a genetic cross between the two groups. |
c. | has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia). |
d. | has been moved from one genus (Burkholderia) to another genus (Pseudomonas). |
ANS:Â C
A name of an organism may change as scientists learn more about the organism. An older name is often included in parentheses next to the current name to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.
REF:Â Â 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- A bacterium that has been moved from one genus (Pseudomonas) to another genus (Burkholderia) would be correctly noted as which one of the following?
a. | Pseudomonas (Burkholderia) |
b. | Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) |
c. | Pseudomonas, formerly Burkholderia |
d. | Burkholderia, formerly Pseudomonas |
ANS:Â B
The name of an organism may change as scientists learn more about the organism. An older name is often included in parentheses next to the current name to alleviate confusion about the identity of the organism.
REF:Â Â 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- The taxon that is composed of similar species that have several important features in common but differ sufficiently to still maintain their status as individual species is which one of the following?
a. | Class |
b. | Order |
c. | Family |
d. | Genus |
ANS:Â D
The genus is composed of similar species.
REF:Â Â 1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Which binomial name is correctly written?
a. | Staphylococcus Aureus |
b. | staphylococcus aureus |
c. | Staphylococcus aureus |
d. | Staphylococcus aureus |
ANS:Â C
The genus should be capitalized, and the species should be in lowercase. The entire name is either italicized or underlined.
REF:Â Â 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- An example of an organism’s genotypic characteristic is its:
a. | macroscopic morphologic structure. |
b. | microscopic morphologic structure. |
c. | nucleic acid composition. |
d. | antigenic properties. |
ANS:Â C
The organism’s nucleic acid composition—deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)—is a genotypic characteristic. All of the other choices are phenotypic characteristics.
REF:  2–3                OBJ:  Level: Knowledge
- An organism is serologically identified in the clinical laboratory. This is an example of which phenotypic property?
a. | Subcellular properties |
b. | Antigenic properties |
c. | Resistant profiles |
d. | Nucleic acid sequence analysis |
ANS:Â B
Serologic methods examine the organism’s antigenic properties.
REF:Â Â 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
Chapter 05: Specimen Management
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
- A principal role of the clinical microbiologist includes:
a. | quickly and accurately communicating information about the patient in both verbal and written formats. |
b. | assisting nurses and/or phlebotomists on the floor when drawing blood cultures. |
c. | diagnosing and treating patients. |
d. | designing software for microbial databases. |
ANS:Â A
The role of the clinical microbiologist is many faceted and includes quickly and accurately communicating information about the patient in both verbal and written formats.
REF:Â Â 53Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Rejection of inappropriately collected or transported specimens:
a. | is the sole responsibility of the laboratory and should be performed without regard to physician requests. |
b. | should be initiated by laboratory personnel but approved by the nurses or physicians responsible for the care of the patient. |
c. | is not in the best interest of patient care and should not be considered appropriate. |
d. | is the responsibility of the nursing staff and should not be an issue for laboratory personnel. |
ANS:Â B
Specimen quality is critical in providing good test results, and every effort should be made to ensure optimal quality.
REF:Â Â 63Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- The definitive identification of clinically significant isolates is:
a. | always necessary and should be carried out by the laboratory at all times. |
b. | desirable in most cases; however, limited identification may sometimes be necessary and helpful. |
c. | often not cost effective and should be performed only when requested by the attending physician. |
d. | not necessary in most cases and should not be routinely performed by the laboratory. |
ANS:Â B
The definitive identification of clinically significant isolates, although desirable in most cases, is not always necessary and is often not cost effective. Limited identification may be helpful and all that is necessary.
REF:Â Â 66Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Specimens for microbiologic studies should be:
a. | transported to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection. |
b. | collected in nonsterile specimen containers. |
c. | transported in sealable, leak-proof plastic bags with a separate section for paperwork. |
d. | sent to the laboratory on ice, no matter what type of specimen. |
ANS:Â C
Microbiological specimens should be transported in sealable, leak-proof bags, keeping the paperwork separate in the event the specimen leaks.
REF:Â Â 62Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Holding media, such as Stuart’s medium and Amie’s transport medium, are used to:
a. | maintain the viability of microorganisms present in a specimen. |
b. | support the growth and multiplication of any pathogenic organisms that are present. |
c. | prevent clotting of specimens such as blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid. |
d. | allow pathogenic organisms to grow while nonpathogenic organisms die. |
ANS:Â A
Holding media are designed to maintain viability but do not support the multiplication of bacteria present.
REF:Â Â 62Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- The best anticoagulant to prevent clotting of specimens, such as blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid, which are submitted for recovery of all types of microorganisms, is:
a. | sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS). |
b. | heparin. |
c. | citrate. |
d. | ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). |
ANS:Â A
SPS is the least inhibitory anticoagulant, which makes it the best choice for preserving blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid.
REF:Â Â 62Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Direct examinations such as the Gram stain serve what purpose?
a. | To determine the organism’s genetic makeup |
b. | To give the physician an early indication of what may be wrong with the patient |
c. | To determine the type of flora in the throat and stool specimens |
d. | To determine the organism’s colonial morphologic features |
ANS:Â B
Direct examinations enable the laboratory scientist to give the physician an early indication of possible pathogens, enabling him or her to gain insight to guide the work-up of the specimen.
REF:Â Â 63Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Which type of media is designed to support the growth of a wide range of microorganisms?
a. | Selective |
b. | Nutritive |
c. | Differential |
d. | Definitive |
ANS:Â B
Many different types of media exist and serve many different purposes in clinical microbiology. Some types are basically nutritive and support the growth of many different types of microorganisms.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Which type of media is designed to distinguish microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics?
a. | Selective |
b. | Nutritive |
c. | Differential |
d. | Definitive |
ANS:Â C
Many different types of media exist and serve many different purposes in clinical microbiology. Some types are differential in that they allow the discrimination of microorganisms on the basis of certain growth characteristics.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Which type of media is designed to support the growth of one group of organisms, but not another, by containing antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol?
a. | Selective |
b. | Nutritive |
c. | Differential |
d. | Definitive |
ANS:Â A
Many different types of media exist and serve many different purposes in clinical microbiology. Some types are selective in that they contain antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol that cause the support of the growth of one group of organisms but not another.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- An example of a selective medium for gram-positive organisms is:
a. | MacConkey agar. |
b. | blood agar. |
c. | colistin and nalidixic acid. |
d. | thioglycollate broth. |
ANS:Â C
Colistin and nalidixic acid agar contains factors to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria but will allow gram-positive bacteria to grow.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- Ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen (O2) and a small amount (0.03%) of carbon dioxide (CO2), is the environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?
a. | Aerobes |
b. | Anaerobes |
c. | Capnophiles |
d. | Microaerophiles |
ANS:Â A
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Aerobes grow best in the presence of ambient air.
REF:Â Â 66Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Increased concentrations of CO2 (5% to 10%) and approximately 15% O2 produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?
a. | Aerobes |
b. | Anaerobes |
c. | Capnophiles |
d. | Microaerophiles |
ANS:Â C
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Capnophiles grow best in the presence of increased levels of CO2.
REF:Â Â 66Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Between 5% and 10% hydrogen (H2), 5% to 10% CO2, 80% to 90% nitrogen (N2), and 0% O2 produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?
a. | Aerobes |
b. | Anaerobes |
c. | Capnophiles |
d. | Microaerophiles |
ANS:Â B
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Anaerobes grow best in the absence of oxygen.
REF:Â Â 66Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Reduced O2 (5% to 10%) and increased CO2 (8% to 10%) produce an environmental condition that best suits which type of organism?
a. | Aerobes |
b. | Anaerobes |
c. | Capnophiles |
d. | Microaerophiles |
ANS:Â D
Various types of microorganisms require different atmospheric conditions. Microaerophiles grow best in the presence of reduced O2 and increased CO2.
REF:Â Â 66Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniae appear alpha-hemolytic on blood agar media. Which one of the following statements explains this discrepancy?
a. | The lot of blood agar may be expired. |
b. | Something may be wrong with the strain of S. pneumoniae since it should be beta-hemolytic on blood agar. |
c. | Something may be wrong with the strain of S. pneumoniae; it should be gamma-hemolytic on blood agar. |
d. | No discrepancy is present. S. pneumoniae should be alpha-hemolytic on blood agar. |
ANS:Â D
- pneumoniae produces alpha-hemolysis on blood agar.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Problem Solving
- An example of a beta-hemolytic gram-positive organism is:
a. | Staphylococcus aureus. |
b. | Streptococcus pneumoniae. |
c. | Escherichia coli. |
d. | Enterococcus. |
ANS:Â A
The only gram-positive beta-hemolytic organism in this listing of answers is S. aureus. S. pneumoniae is alpha-hemolytic, and Enterococcus is either alpha- or gamma-hemolytic. Although E. coli appears beta-hemolytic on blood agar, it is a gram-negative organism.
REF:Â Â 64Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Application
- Which specimen is quantitatively plated by using a calibrated loop?
a. | Stool |
b. | Sputum |
c. | Joint fluid |
d. | Urine |
ANS:Â D
Urine is plated using a calibrated loop to determine the amount of colonies present (i.e., colony count) and to decide whether the bacteria present are clinically significant or skin contamination.
REF:Â Â 65Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge
- Which specimen culture, if positive, should be immediately reported to the clinician?
a. | Urine |
b. | Blood |
c. | Throat |
d. | Stool |
ANS:Â B
A positive blood culture is considered a critical value because of the possibility of bacterial sepsis. Critical values are always immediately reported to the clinician; appropriate antimicrobial treatment should be administered right away.
REF:  66–67            OBJ:  Level: Application
- The appropriate storage for a cerebral spinal fluid specimen is ____° C.
a. | 4 |
b. | 22 |
c. | 37 |
d. | –70 |
ANS:Â C
Cerebral spinal fluid should always be stored at 37° C to keep pathogens viable once outside the body.
REF:Â Â 62Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OBJ:Â Â Level: Knowledge