Medical Laboratory Technician Clinical Microbiology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A Gram stain performed on a purulent aspirate from a skin abscess reveals gram-positive cocci arranged in grape-like clusters. Which of the following organisms is most likely responsible for the infection?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

*Staphylococcus aureus* is classically described as forming grape-like clusters and is a primary cause of skin and soft tissue infections, including abscesses. *Streptococcus* and *Enterococcus* species typically arrange themselves in pairs and chains.

Question 2

MacConkey agar is a selective and differential medium used for isolating enteric bacteria. The selective agents that inhibit the growth of most gram-positive organisms are:

Accepted Answer

Bile salts and crystal violet

Answer

MacConkey agar contains bile salts and crystal violet, which effectively inhibit the growth of most gram-positive bacteria, thus selecting for gram-negative organisms. A high salt concentration is used in Mannitol Salt Agar, CNA is used in Columbia CNA agar, and phenylethyl alcohol is used in PEA agar.

Question 3

A Kirby-Bauer susceptibility test for a *Staphylococcus aureus* isolate shows resistance to erythromycin and susceptibility to clindamycin, but with a flattening of the clindamycin zone of inhibition adjacent to the erythromycin disk. This characteristic "D" shape indicates:

Accepted Answer

Inducible clindamycin resistance

Answer

The D-test is performed to detect inducible clindamycin resistance, mediated by the *erm* gene. Erythromycin induces the expression of this gene, causing the organism to become resistant to clindamycin in the area near the erythromycin disk, resulting in a "D-shaped" zone of inhibition. Failure to detect this can lead to clindamycin treatment failure.

Question 4

A patient presents with prolonged, foul-smelling, fatty diarrhea (steatorrhea) after a camping trip where they drank unfiltered stream water. A microscopic examination of a stool sample is most likely to reveal which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Pear-shaped, binucleated trophozoites

Answer

The clinical history and symptoms are classic for giardiasis, caused by *Giardia lamblia*. The diagnostic form in a diarrheic stool specimen is the pear-shaped, binucleated trophozoite with characteristic 'falling leaf' motility.

Question 5

An India ink preparation is performed on a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample from an immunocompromised patient with suspected meningitis. This technique is used to visualize which feature for the presumptive identification of *Cryptococcus neoformans*?

Accepted Answer

The polysaccharide capsule

Answer

*Cryptococcus neoformans* is characterized by a large polysaccharide capsule, which is a major virulence factor. The India ink stain is a negative staining method where the ink particles are excluded by the capsule, creating a distinct, clear halo around the yeast cell against a dark background.

Medical Laboratory Technician Exam Practice Test

Medical Laboratory Technician Exam Practice Test

Medical Laboratory Technician Clinical Microbiology Questions and Answers