BMS Pathology and Microbiology 2

Question 1

Which type of necrosis is most commonly associated with ischemic infarction of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Coagulative necrosis preserves cell outlines and is the hallmark of ischemic infarcts in solid organs like the heart.

Question 2

A postmortem culture of lung tissue grows Streptococcus pneumoniae. Which staining technique best identifies this organism in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Gram stain

Answer

Gram stain differentiates bacteria by cell wall composition and readily identifies S. pneumoniae as gram-positive diplococci.

Question 3

Which virulence factor allows Clostridium perfringens to rapidly spread through tissue postmortem?

Accepted Answer

Alpha toxin (lecithinase)

Answer

Alpha toxin destroys cell membranes by cleaving phospholipids, enabling the rapid tissue destruction seen in gas gangrene.

Question 4

Petechiae on the epicardial surface observed during autopsy are most indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Answer

DIC causes widespread microthrombi and concurrent hemorrhage, producing petechial hemorrhages on serosal surfaces.

Question 5

Which organism is the most common cause of bacterial endocarditis and may be identified at autopsy on cardiac valves?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

S. aureus is the leading cause of acute bacterial endocarditis, producing large destructive vegetations on heart valves.

BMS - Bachelor of Mortuary Science Practice Test