Clinical Microbiology Quiz

What is a critical factor in specimen collection?

• Material from the actual site of infection

• Time of day

• Type of specimen container

• Cost of the procedure

What should be done whenever possible before administering antibiotics?

• Obtain a culture

• Notify the microbiologist

• Collect a second sample

• Change the specimen container

What is the recommended volume of blood for a culture in adults?

• 100 ml

• 30-50 ml

• 5 ml

• 10 ml

Which organism is considered part of the normal flora of the skin?

• Escherichia coli

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Staphylococcus epidermidis

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

What is the purpose of using appropriate collection devices?

• To reduce costs

• To ensure optimal recovery of microorganisms

• To minimize contamination

• To speed up the process

What is a common contaminant in blood cultures?

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Klebsiella pneumoniae

• Staphylococcus epidermidis

• Escherichia coli

How many sets of blood cultures are recommended for suspected catheter sepsis?

• Two sets

• One set

• Three sets

• Four sets

What is the significance of collecting specimens from different sites?

• To increase the cost

• To ensure a diverse sample

• To confirm the presence of pathogens

• To reduce the time taken for analysis

What is the role of good communication with the microbiologist?

• To reduce specimen collection errors

• To ensure timely reporting of results

• To increase the number of tests performed

• To lower the cost of testing

What is the recommended time interval between blood culture sets for acute endocarditis?

• 30 minutes

• 5 minutes

• 10 minutes

• 15 minutes