ATI RN
microbiology basic and clinical principles test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
The oldest fossils of prokaryotes go back __________ billion years.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 3.5 to 4.0 billion years. This range aligns with the oldest known fossils of prokaryotes found in ancient rocks. Fossils dating back to this time period provide evidence of early life forms on Earth. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they fall outside the established timeline based on scientific evidence and fossil records. A (4.0 to 5.0 billion years) is too early for the oldest prokaryote fossils, as it predates the formation of Earth's atmosphere suitable for life. C (2.5 to 3.0 billion years) and D (2.2 to 2.7 billion years) are too recent for the oldest prokaryote fossils, as life is believed to have originated much earlier.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following bacteria is responsible for causing cholera?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, a bacterium that infects the small intestine, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes the symptoms of cholera. A: Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery, not cholera. C: Salmonella enterica causes food poisoning, not cholera. D: Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning but not cholera.
Question 3 of 5
A lymph node punctate of a patient with suspected protozoa disease was examined. Examination of the stained specimen (Romanovsky's stain) revealed some crescent bodies with pointed end, blue cytoplasm and red nucleus. What protozoan were revealed in the smears?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malarial plasmodiums. The description of crescent bodies with a pointed end, blue cytoplasm, and red nucleus corresponds to the characteristics of Plasmodium species seen in Romanovsky's stain. Plasmodium species are known to cause malaria and have distinct features like the ones described. Incorrect choices: A: Toxoplasmas - Toxoplasma gondii typically appear as tachyzoites or bradyzoites under staining, not crescent bodies. C: Dermotropic leishmania - Leishmania species appear as amastigotes in tissue smears, not crescent bodies. D: Viscerotropic leishmania - Similar to choice C, Leishmania species do not typically present as crescent bodies in stained specimens.
Question 4 of 5
A patient with a sore throat had a throat culture revealing Gram-positive cocci in chains. The bacteria were catalase-negative and beta-hemolytic on blood agar. What is the most likely causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Gram-positive cocci in chains suggest Streptococcus species. Step 2: Catalase-negative eliminates Staphylococcus aureus. Step 3: Beta-hemolytic on blood agar matches Streptococcus pyogenes. Step 4: Streptococcus pyogenes is a common cause of sore throat (pharyngitis). Summary: A: Streptococcus pyogenes - Correct due to Gram-positive cocci in chains, catalase-negative, beta-hemolytic, and common cause of sore throat. B: Staphylococcus aureus - Incorrect due to catalase-positive. C: Streptococcus pneumoniae - Incorrect due to alpha-hemolytic. D: Enterococcus faecalis - Incorrect due to not being beta-hemolytic.
Question 5 of 5
A 12-year-old boy presents with nausea, frequent repeated vomiting that first occurred after eating canned vegetables. Objectively: the patient has dry mucous membranes, muscular hypotonia, anisocoria, mydriasis, dysphagia and dysarthria. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is A: Botulism. The symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting after eating canned vegetables, dry mucous membranes, muscular hypotonia, anisocoria, mydriasis, dysphagia, and dysarthria, are classic signs of botulism poisoning. Botulism is caused by the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria found in improperly canned or preserved food. The neurotoxin affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms like those described. Shigellosis (B), Salmonellosis (C), and Cholera (D) typically present with different symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain, which are not seen in this patient.
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