Microbiology MCQ

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