What is one goal of the Human Microbiome Project?

What is one goal of the Human Microbiome Project? 

A. to sequence the DNA of all microorganisms
B. to study the prevalence of disease
C. to study microorganisms in their natural habitat
D. to provide comprehensive characterization of microbiota relating to human health and disease
E. to discover new organisms in extreme habitats

Answer: D

The number of persons afflicted with an infectious disease is the _____ rate.

The number of persons afflicted with an infectious disease is the _____ rate. 

A. morbidity
B. mortality
C. incidence
D. endemic
E. pandemic

Answer: A

The total number of deaths in a population due to a disease is the _____ rate.

The total number of deaths in a population due to a disease is the _____ rate. 

A. morbidity
B. mortality
C. incidence
D. endemic
E. pandemic

Answer: B

A disease that has a steady frequency over time in a particular geographic location is

A disease that has a steady frequency over time in a particular geographic location is 

A. epidemic.
B. endemic.
C. pandemic.
D. sporadic.
E. chronic.

Answer: B

The number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specific period of time compared with the healthy population is the

The number of new cases of a disease in a population over a specific period of time compared with the healthy population is the 

A. mortality rate.
B. morbidity rate.
C. incidence rate.
D. prevalence rate.
E. epidemic rate.

Answer: C

The principal government agency responsible for tracking infectious diseases in the United States is

The principal government agency responsible for tracking infectious diseases in the United States is 

A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
B. World Health Organization.
C. National Institutes of Health.
D. United States Department of Agriculture.
E. Infection Control Committee.

Answer: A

The study of the frequency and distribution of a disease in a defined population is

The study of the frequency and distribution of a disease in a defined population is 

A. pathology.
B. clinical microbiology.
C. medicine.
D. immunology.
E. epidemiology.

Answer: E

When would Koch's postulates be utilized?

When would Koch's postulates be utilized? 

A. determination of the cause of a patient's illness in a hospital microbiology lab
B. development of a new antibiotic in a pharmaceutical lab
C. determination of the cause of a new disease in a microbiology research lab
D. formulation of a vaccine against a new pathogen in a genetic engineering lab
E. whenever the scientific method can not be used to investigate a microbiological problem

Answer: C

Which of the following is not a universal precaution used for handling patients and body substances?

Which of the following is not a universal precaution used for handling patients and body substances? 

A. mask and gloves
B. proper disposal of needles
C. healthcare worker with active lesions handling patients
D. hand washing
E. sterilizing or disinfecting dental hand pieces

Answer: C

Nosocomial infections involve all the following except

Nosocomial infections involve all the following except 

A. are only transmitted by medical personnel.
B. often involve the patient's urinary tract and surgical incisions.
C. the patient's resident biota can be the infectious agent.
D. Escherichia coli and staphylococci are common infectious agents.
E. medical and surgical asepsis help lower their occurrence.

Answer: A

Which of the following is transmission of disease from mother to fetus?

Which of the following is transmission of disease from mother to fetus? 

A. vertical
B. direct
C. vector
D. droplets
E. fomites





Answer: A

Which of the following is a direct contact method of microbe transmission?

Which of the following is a direct contact method of microbe transmission? 

A. fomites
B. water
C. droplet nuclei
D. aerosols
E. droplets

Answer: E

The dried residues of fine droplets from mucus or saliva that harbor and transmit pathogens are

The dried residues of fine droplets from mucus or saliva that harbor and transmit pathogens are 

A. fomites.
B. aerosols.
C. mechanical vectors.
D. droplet nuclei.
E. biological vectors.





Answer: D

A laboratory technologist splashed a blood specimen onto his face, eyes, nose and mouth. This specimen was from an HIV positive patient. If this blood exposure leads to HIV infection in the technologist, the transmission route is

A laboratory technologist splashed a blood specimen onto his face, eyes, nose and mouth. This specimen was from an HIV positive patient. If this blood exposure leads to HIV infection in the technologist, the transmission route is 

A. direct.
B. fomite.
C. vehicle.
D. droplet nuclei.
E. aerosol.

Answer: A

An inanimate object that harbors and transmits a pathogen is a

An inanimate object that harbors and transmits a pathogen is a 

A. fomite.
B. carrier.
C. vector.
D. reservoir.
E. source.




Answer: A

All infectious diseases

All infectious diseases 

A. are contagious.
B. only occur in humans.
C. are caused by microorganisms or their products.
D. are caused by vectors.
E. involve viruses as the pathogen.

Answer: C

_____ carriers are shedding and transmitting pathogens a long time after they have recovered from an infectious disease.

_____ carriers are shedding and transmitting pathogens a long time after they have recovered from an infectious disease. 

A. Asymptomatic
B. Passive
C. Incubation
D. Chronic
E. Convalescent

Answer: D

____ carriers are shedding and transmitting pathogens while they are recovering from an infectious disease.

____ carriers are shedding and transmitting pathogens while they are recovering from an infectious disease. 

A. Asymptomatic
B. Passive
C. Incubation
D. Chronic
E. Convalescent

Answer: E

A _____ is an infection indigenous to animals that can, on occasion, be transmitted to humans.

A _____ is an infection indigenous to animals that can, on occasion, be transmitted to humans. 

A. secondary infection
B. sequelae
C. nosocomial infection
D. zoonosis
E. None of the choices is correct.





Answer: D

Animals that participate in the life cycles of pathogens and transmit pathogens from host to host are

Animals that participate in the life cycles of pathogens and transmit pathogens from host to host are 

A. fomites.
B. aerosols.
C. mechanical vectors.
D. droplet nuclei.
E. biological vectors.

Answer: E

Reservoirs include

Reservoirs include 

A. humans.
B. animals.
C. soil.
D. water.
E. All of the choices are correct.





Answer: E

The intermediary object or individual from which the infectious agent is actually acquired is termed the

The intermediary object or individual from which the infectious agent is actually acquired is termed the 

A. fomite.
B. carrier.
C. vector.
D. reservoir.
E. source.

Answer: E

An animal, such as an arthropod, that transmits a pathogen from one host to another is a

An animal, such as an arthropod, that transmits a pathogen from one host to another is a 

A. fomite.
B. carrier.
C. vector.
D. reservoir.
E. source.

Answer: C

Someone who inconspicuously harbors a pathogen and spreads it to others is a

Someone who inconspicuously harbors a pathogen and spreads it to others is a 

A. fomite.
B. carrier.
C. vector.
D. reservoir.
E. source.

Answer: B

The primary, natural habitat of a pathogen where it continues to exist is called the

The primary, natural habitat of a pathogen where it continues to exist is called the

 A. fomite.
B. carrier.
C. vector.
D. reservoir.
E. source.

Answer: D

Diseases that cause long-term or permanent damage are called

Diseases that cause long-term or permanent damage are called 

A. latent.
B. sequelae.
C. direct.
D. indirect.
E. chronical.

Answer: B

Which of the following is an example of sequelae?

Which of the following is an example of sequelae? 

A. headache from meningitis
B. difficulty swallowing from a Streptococcus infection
C. arthritis from Lyme disease
D. Diarrhea from Salmonella enteritidis infection
E. All of the choices are correct.

Answer: C

Which of the following is not a normal portal of exit for an infectious disease?

Which of the following is not a normal portal of exit for an infectious disease? 

A. removal of blood
B. urogenital tract and feces C. coughing and sneezing
D. skin
E. All of these are normal exit portals.

Answer: E

Infections that go unnoticed because there are no symptoms are called

Infections that go unnoticed because there are no symptoms are called 

A. syndromes.
B. malaises.
C. inflammations.
D. asymptomatics.
E. secondary infections.

Answer: D

A _____ is the presence of small numbers of bacteria in the blood.

A _____ is the presence of small numbers of bacteria in the blood. 

A. bacteremia
B. septicemia
C. viremia
D. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: A

Leukopenia is the _____ in the level of white blood cells in a patient.

Leukopenia is the _____ in the level of white blood cells in a patient. 

A. elevation
B. stabilization
C. decrease

Answer: C

A sign is a/an

A sign is a/an 

A. objective indication of disease.
B. subjective indication of disease.
C. measurable by a health care personnel.
D. temperature.
E. Both objective indication of disease and measurable by a health care personnel are correct.

Answer: E

A symptom is a/an

A symptom is a/an 

A. objective indication of disease.
B. subjective indication of disease.
C. measurable by a health care personnel.
D. temperature.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: B

Local edema, swollen lymph nodes, fever, soreness, and abscesses are indications of

Local edema, swollen lymph nodes, fever, soreness, and abscesses are indications of 

A. toxemia.
B. inflammation.
C. sequelae.
D. a syndrome.
E. latency.




Answer: B

The objective, measurable evidence of disease evaluated by an observer is termed a/an

The objective, measurable evidence of disease evaluated by an observer is termed a/an 

A. syndrome.
B. symptom.
C. sign.
D. pathology.
E. inflammation.

Answer: C

The subjective evidence of disease sensed by the patient is termed a/an

The subjective evidence of disease sensed by the patient is termed a/an 

A. syndrome.
B. symptom.
C. sign.
D. pathology.
E. inflammation.

Answer: B

Which is mismatched?

Which is mismatched? 

A. secondary infection - infection spreads to several tissue sites
B. mixed infection - several agents established at infection site
C. acute infection - rapid onset of severe, short-lived symptoms
D. local infection - pathogen remains at or near entry site
E. toxemia - pathogen's toxins carried by the blood to target tissues

Answer: A

The initial, brief period of early, general symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches is the

The initial, brief period of early, general symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches is the

A. prodromal stage.
B. convalescent stage.
C. incubation period.
D. period of invasion.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: A

The time from when pathogen first enters the body and begins to multiply, until symptoms first appear is the

The time from when pathogen first enters the body and begins to multiply, until symptoms first appear is the 

A. prodromal stage.
B. convalescent stage.
C. incubation period.
D. period of invasion.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: C

The stage of an infectious disease when specific signs and symptoms are seen and the pathogen is at peak activity is the

The stage of an infectious disease when specific signs and symptoms are seen and the pathogen is at peak activity is the 

A. prodromal stage.
B. convalescent stage.
C. incubation period.
D. period of invasion.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: D

The suffix -emia means

The suffix -emia means 

A. blood.
B. a disease or morbid process.
C. an inflammation.
D. tumor.
E. pertaining to.

Answer: A

Hyaluronidase is a virulence factor in

Hyaluronidase is a virulence factor in 

A. amoebic dysentery.
B. ringworm.
C. clostridia.
D. cold virus.
E. diphtheria.

Answer: C

Which of the following is the endotoxin?

Which of the following is the endotoxin? 

A. hemolysin
B. hyaluronidase
C. toxinosis
D. collagenase
E. lipopolysaccharide

Answer: E

____ are various bacterial enzymes that dissolve fibrin clots.

____ are various bacterial enzymes that dissolve fibrin clots. 

A. Coagulases
B. Mucinases
C. Keratinases
D. Kinases
E. Hyaluronidases

Answer: D

_____ are toxins that are the lipopolysaccharide of the outer membrane of gram-negative cell walls.

_____ are toxins that are the lipopolysaccharide of the outer membrane of gram-negative cell walls. 

A. Exotoxins
B. Endotoxins
C. Enterotoxins
D. Leukocidins
E. Hemolysins

Answer: B

An endotoxin is

An endotoxin is 

A. secreted by pathogenic organisms.
B. indicative of gram-negative organisms.
C. indicative of gram-positive organisms.
D. indicative of fungal infections.
E. indicative of viral infections.

Answer: B

Exotoxins

Exotoxins 

A. are secreted by pathogenic organisms.
B. are bound to the membrane of pathogenic organisms.
C. are bound to the cell wall of pathogenic organisms.
D. cause more damage than endotoxins.
E. are host specific.

Answer: A

Mucinase has the greatest effect on the

Mucinase has the greatest effect on the 

A. respiratory system.
B. gastrointestinal system.
C. urinary system.
D. genital system.
E. skin.

Answer: B

Keratinase has the greatest effect on the

Keratinase has the greatest effect on the 

A. respiratory system.
B. gastrointestinal system.
C. urinary system.
D. genital system.
E. skin.

Answer: E

Which is mismatched?

Which is mismatched? 

A. fimbriae - adherence to substrate
B. capsules - antiphagocytic factor
C. coagulase - dissolve fibrin clots
D. leukocidins - damage white blood cells
E. hemolysins - damage red blood cells

Answer: C

Enterotoxins are

Enterotoxins are 

A. virulence factors.
B. toxins that target the intestines.
C. proteins.
D. exotoxins.
E. All of the choices are correct.

Answer: B

Exotoxins are

Exotoxins are 

A. proteins.
B. only released after a cell is damaged or lysed.
C. antiphagocytic factors.
D. secretions that always target nervous tissue.
E. lipopolysaccharides.

Answer: A

Microbial hyaluronidase, coagulase, and streptokinase are examples of

Microbial hyaluronidase, coagulase, and streptokinase are examples of 

A. adhesive factors.
B. exotoxins.
C. hemolysins.
D. antiphagocytic factors.
E. exoenzymes.





Answer: E

Virulence factors include all the following except

Virulence factors include all the following except 

A. capsules.
B. ribosomes.
C. exoenzymes.
D. endotoxins.
E. exotoxins.

Answer: B

Which of the following is not an antiphagocytic factor?

Which of the following is not an antiphagocytic factor? 

A. secretion of slime
B. production of leukocidins
C. adhering to the host
D. secretion of a capsule
E. ability to survive intracellularly

Answer: C

Once a microbe has entered a host, what process performed by certain white blood cells will attempt to destroy the microbes?

Once a microbe has entered a host, what process performed by certain white blood cells will attempt to destroy the microbes? 

A. phagocytosis
B. adhesion
C. encapsulation
D. margination
E. exocytosis

Answer: A

Which of the following is not a method of adhesion?

Which of the following is not a method of adhesion? 

A. fimbriae
B. surface proteins
C. specialized receptors
D. adhesive slime or capsules
E. cilia

Answer: E

The minimum amount of microbes in the inoculating dose is the

The minimum amount of microbes in the inoculating dose is the 

A. virulence factor.
B. indigenous biota.
C. infectious dose.
D. endotoxin.
E. minimal dose.

Answer: C

An infectious agent already existing on or in the body is called

An infectious agent already existing on or in the body is called 

A. exogenous.
B. an exotoxin.
C. an enterotoxin.
D. endogenous.
E. axenic.

Answer: D

An infectious agent that originates from outside the body is called

An infectious agent that originates from outside the body is called 

A. exogenous.
B. an exotoxin.
C. an enterotoxin.
D. endogenous.
E. axenic.

Answer: A

The greatest number of pathogens enter the body through the

The greatest number of pathogens enter the body through the 

A. respiratory system.
B. gastrointestinal system.
C. urinary system.
D. genital system.
E. skin.

Answer: A

TORCH is an acronym that represents the most common

TORCH is an acronym that represents the most common 

A. genera of resident biota.
B. sexually transmitted diseases.
C. portals of entry.
D. vectors.
E. infections of the fetus and neonate.

Answer: E

Which of the following is not a factor that weakens host defenses against infections?

Which of the following is not a factor that weakens host defenses against infections? 

A. genetic defects in immunity
B. physical and mental stress
C. strong, healthy body
D. chemotherapy
E. old age



Answer: C

Pathogenic microbes that cause disease in healthy people are called

Pathogenic microbes that cause disease in healthy people are called 

A. opportunistic pathogens.
B. normal biota.
C. indigenous biota.
D. true pathogens.
E. micropathogens.

Answer: D

Opportunistic pathogens

Opportunistic pathogens 

A. cause disease in every individual.
B. cause disease in compromised individuals.
C. are always pathogens.
D. have well-developed virulence factors.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: B

All of the following genera are considered resident biota of skin sites except

All of the following genera are considered resident biota of skin sites except 

A. Escherichia.
B. Staphylococcus.
C. Corynebacterium.
D. Micrococcus.
E. Candida.




Answer: A

The effect of "good" microbes against invading microbes is called

The effect of "good" microbes against invading microbes is called 

A. microbial antagonism.
B. endogenous infection.
C. infectious disease.
D. axenic.
E. gnotobiotism.

Answer: A

Each of the following are inoculation of normal biota to a newborn except

Each of the following are inoculation of normal biota to a newborn except 

A. the birth process through the birth canal.
B. bottle feeding.
C. breast feeding.
D. contact with hospital staff.
E. All of the choices are correct.

Answer: E

Normal biota includes each of the following except

Normal biota includes each of the following except 

A. bacteria.
B. fungi.
C. protozoans.
D. viruses.
E. All of the choices are correct

Answer: E

Resident biota are found in/on the

Resident biota are found in/on the 

A. skin.
B. mouth.
C. nasal passages.
D. large intestine.
E. All of the choices are correct.

Answer: E

The human body typically begins to be colonized by its normal biota

The human body typically begins to be colonized by its normal biota 

A. before birth, in utero.
B. during and immediately after birth.
C. when a child first goes to school.
D. when an infant gets its first infectious disease.
E. during puberty.

Answer: B

Endogenous infectious agents arise from microbes that are

Endogenous infectious agents arise from microbes that are 

A. in food.
B. the patient's own normal biota.
C. on fomites.
D. in the air.
E. transmitted form one person to another.

Answer: B

Which is not terminology used for resident biota?

Which is not terminology used for resident biota? 

A. pathogenic biota
B. normal biota
C. indigenous biota
D. normal microbiota
E. commensals

Answer: A

The term infection refers to

The term infection refers to 

A. microorganisms colonizing the body.
B. contact with microorganisms.
C. contact with pathogens.
D. pathogens penetrating host defenses.
E. None of the choices is correct.

Answer: D

Infection occurs when

Infection occurs when 

A. contaminants are present on the skin.
B. a person swallows microbes in/on food.
C. a person inhales microbes in the air.
D. pathogens enter and multiply in body tissues.
E. All of the choices are correct.

Answer: D