A patient with severe pneumonia had a sputum culture revealing Gram-negative rods that are non-lactose fermenters. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B. Escherichia coli
- C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
- D. Enterobacter cloacae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative rod that is a non-lactose fermenter and a common cause of severe pneumonia, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It is also known for its resistance to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.
Summary of other choices:
B: Escherichia coli is a lactose fermenter and is not commonly associated with severe pneumonia.
C: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a lactose fermenter and is more commonly associated with pneumonia in alcoholics or debilitated patients.
D: Enterobacter cloacae is a lactose fermenter and is not a common cause of severe pneumonia.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which statement for immunomodulators is correct
- A. they can only stimulate the incomplete humoral and immune response
- B. Isoniazid is a very effective immunomodulator
- C. they can be natural and artificial compounds
- D. they can only suppress the incomplete humoral and immune response
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
Choice C is correct because immunomodulators can indeed be natural (e.g., cytokines) or artificial compounds (e.g., synthetic peptides). They work by modulating the immune response, enhancing or suppressing it as needed.
Choice A is incorrect because immunomodulators can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses.
Choice B is incorrect as isoniazid is primarily an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, not an immunomodulator.
Choice D is incorrect because immunomodulators can have varying effects on the immune response, not just suppress it.
When using gram staining method fungi stain:
- A. Blue-purple
- B. Red
- C. Silver
- D. Do not stain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Fungi do not stain in the gram staining method because they have a unique cell wall composition different from bacteria. Fungi have chitin in their cell walls, which is not easily stained by the gram staining process. This method primarily targets the peptidoglycan layer present in bacterial cell walls. Therefore, fungi will not take up the stain and will remain colorless. The other choices (A: Blue-purple, B: Red, C: Silver) are incorrect because they describe colors that are associated with staining results for bacteria, not fungi.
Which of the following transport mechanisms transports water across the plasma membrane?
- A. osmosis
- B. facilitated diffusion
- C. phagocytosis
- D. exocytosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Osmosis is the correct answer because it is the process by which water molecules move across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. This movement occurs passively, driven by the concentration gradient. Facilitated diffusion (B) involves the transport of specific molecules with the help of carrier proteins, not water. Phagocytosis (C) is a process where cells engulf solid particles, not water molecules. Exocytosis (D) is the process of releasing substances from a cell by fusion of vesicles with the cell membrane, not the transport of water across the membrane.
Which of the following bacteria is associated with stomach ulcers?
- A. Escherichia coli
- B. Helicobacter pylori
- C. Bacillus cereus
- D. Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is associated with stomach ulcers as it can survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and produce substances that weaken the stomach lining. Escherichia coli (A) is associated with foodborne illnesses, not ulcers. Bacillus cereus (C) causes food poisoning. Clostridium difficile (D) is associated with antibiotic-associated colitis, not ulcers. Therefore, Helicobacter pylori is the correct answer based on its specific association with stomach ulcers.
What is the function of bacterial pili?
- A. Provide motility
- B. Aid in adhesion
- C. Form spores
- D. Synthesize proteins
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The function of bacterial pili is to aid in adhesion. Pili are hair-like structures on the bacterial surface that help the bacteria attach to surfaces or other cells. This adhesion is crucial for colonization and infection. Pili do not provide motility, as that is typically done by flagella. Bacteria form spores for survival under harsh conditions, and protein synthesis is carried out by ribosomes, not pili. Thus, the correct answer is B, aiding in adhesion.