Question 1

Which of the following is a common cause of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States and is classified as a Gram-negative bacillus?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Question 2

Neisseria meningitidis is most likely to cause which of the following diseases, and what is the primary route of transmission?

Accepted Answer

Meningitis; respiratory droplets

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which Rickettsia species cause disease in humans?

Accepted Answer

Invasion and replication within endothelial cells, leading to vascular damage

Question 4

A patient presents with fever, rash, and a history of tick exposure in Texas. Laboratory tests reveal intracellular bacteria in white blood cells. Which organism is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Ehrlichia chaffeensis

Question 5

Which fungal pathogen is most commonly associated with causing pneumonia in immunocompromised patients, and what is its primary mode of transmission?

Accepted Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii; inhalation of airborne spores

Question 6

Which of the following protozoans is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito and is responsible for malaria?

Accepted Answer

Plasmodium falciparum

Question 7

A patient develops severe diarrhea after drinking untreated water while camping. Microscopic examination reveals flagellated protozoa. Which organism is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Giardia lamblia

Question 8

Which DNA virus is associated with the development of cervical cancer, and what is the recommended preventive measure?

Accepted Answer

Human papillomavirus (HPV); vaccination

Question 9

Which of the following statements correctly compares the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines?

Accepted Answer

Salk vaccine is inactivated and given by injection; Sabin is live-attenuated and given orally

Question 10

A traveler returning from South America presents with high fever, severe joint pain, and a rash. Laboratory tests confirm an RNA virus. Which disease is most likely, and what is the vector?

Accepted Answer

Dengue fever; Aedes mosquito

Question 11

Which of the following equations correctly represents the calculation of attack rate in an outbreak investigation?

Accepted Answer

$Attack\ Rate = \frac{Number\ of\ new\ cases}{Population\ at\ risk}$

Question 12

Which RNA virus is responsible for causing influenza, and what is a key reason for the need for annual vaccination?

Accepted Answer

Influenza virus; antigenic drift and shift

Question 13

A patient with AIDS develops pneumonia. Which organism is most likely responsible, and what is the recommended first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the transmission route and host cell target for Chlamydia trachomatis?

Accepted Answer

Sexual contact; epithelial cells of the urogenital tract

Question 15

Which of the following is a major difference between DNA and RNA viruses in terms of replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA viruses generally use host cell DNA polymerase; RNA viruses use their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that contributes to its pathogenicity?

Accepted Answer

Presence of a waxy, lipid-rich cell wall containing mycolic acids

Question 17

Which protozoan is associated with congenital infection and can be transmitted through cat feces?

Accepted Answer

Toxoplasma gondii

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why Rubella infection during pregnancy is a major public health concern?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to congenital defects in the fetus

Question 19

Which of the following equations correctly represents the calculation of case fatality rate (CFR) in an epidemic?

Accepted Answer

$CFR = \frac{Number\ of\ deaths}{Number\ of\ diagnosed\ cases} 	imes 100$

Question 20

Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing transmission of hospital-acquired Gram-negative infections?

Accepted Answer

Strict adherence to hand hygiene protocols

Microbiology Study Guide: Pathogenic Microorganisms and Viruses

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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