Question 1

Which of the following best describes a commensal bacterium?

Accepted Answer

C) It may also be an opportunistic pathogen.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about symbiosis is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

D) Symbiosis always refers to different organisms living together and benefiting from each other.

Question 3

A healthcare-associated infection (traditionally known as a nosocomial infection) is:

Accepted Answer

B) Acquired during the course of hospitalization.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a verified exception in the use of Koch's postulates?

Accepted Answer

D) Some diseases are not caused by microbes.

Question 5

Which of the following diseases is NOT spread by droplet infection?

Accepted Answer

D) Syphilis

Question 6

Which of the following definitions is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

B) Epidemic: a disease that is constantly present across the world

Question 7

The rise in herd immunity amongst a population can be directly attributed to:

Accepted Answer

C) Vaccinations.

Question 8

Which of the following does NOT contribute to the incidence of healthcare-associated infections?

Accepted Answer

E) Gram-negative cell walls

Question 9

One effect of washing regularly with antibacterial agents is the removal of normal microbiota. This can result in:

Accepted Answer

C) Increased susceptibility to disease.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a reservoir of infection?

Accepted Answer

D) None of the answers is correct; all of these can be reservoirs of infection.

Question 11

Which of the following is a fomite?

Accepted Answer

D) A hypodermic needle

Question 12

The science that deals with when diseases occur and how they are transmitted is called:

Accepted Answer

B) Epidemiology

Question 13

Emergence of infectious diseases can be attributed to all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

E) The emergence of infectious diseases can be attributed to all of these.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about innate immunity is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A) It is slower than adaptive immunity in responding to pathogens.

Question 15

All of the following protect the skin and mucous membranes from infection EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

D) The ciliary escalator

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT found in serum?

Accepted Answer

D) Leukocyte-promoting factor

Question 17

Each of the following is an effect of complement activation EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A) Interferon release that inhibits viral replication.

Question 18

A child falls and suffers a deep cut on her leg. The cut went through her skin and she is bleeding. Which of the following defense mechanisms will participate in eliminating contaminating microbes?

Accepted Answer

C) Phagocytosis in the inflammatory response

Question 19

Which of the following is an effect of opsonization?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased adherence of phagocytes to microorganisms

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a function of inflammation?

Accepted Answer

D) To decrease blood flow to the affected area

Microbiology Study Guide: Infection, Disease Transmission, and Innate Immunity

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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