microbiology chapter 14 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 14 test bank related questions and content

A smear of a patient's sputum suspected for tuberculosis was prepared and stained. The smear showed red bacilli against a blue background. What staining method was used?

  • A. Ziehl-Neelsen
  • B. Gram
  • C. Giemsa
  • D. Neisser
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. This method is used to detect acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Acid-fast bacteria resist decolorization with acid-alcohol. 2. The red bacilli seen in the smear indicate acid-fast bacteria. 3. Ziehl-Neelsen stain uses carbol fuchsin to stain acid-fast bacteria red. 4. The blue background is likely the counterstain methylene blue. Incorrect choices: B: Gram stain is for categorizing bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative, not specific for acid-fast bacteria. C: Giemsa stain is used for blood films and detecting parasites, not acid-fast bacteria. D: Neisser stain is not a standard microbiological staining method.