BIOL 271 Microbiology w/ Lab | Module 5: Personal Protective
Equipment and Pathogenic Microbes
200 Questions — Review Set
Question 1
Standard precautions should be used when handling all patients regardless of their
diagnosis. True or False?
✓ True
False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Standard precautions assume that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and non-intact
skin may contain infectious agents and should be treated accordingly.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT considered a component of standard personal protective
equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Face shield
✓ D. Stethoscope
Correct Answer: D. Stethoscope
Feedback: A stethoscope is a medical instrument, not PPE. PPE includes gloves, gowns, masks, face shields,
and eye protection.
Question 3
What is the primary purpose of wearing gloves in a microbiology laboratory?
A. To prevent contamination of samples
✓ B. To protect the wearer from infectious agents and chemicals
C. To improve dexterity
D. To keep hands warm
Correct Answer: B. To protect the wearer from infectious agents and chemicals
Feedback: Gloves act as a barrier to protect the wearer's skin from exposure to pathogens, hazardous
chemicals, and biological samples.
Question 4
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted via which route?
, A. Contact transmission
B. Droplet transmission
✓ C. Airborne transmission
D. Foodborne transmission
Correct Answer: C. Airborne transmission
Feedback: M. tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air for
long periods.
Question 5
Which type of PPE is required when working with a patient suspected of having a highly
infectious airborne pathogen?
A. Surgical mask
✓ B. N95 respirator
C. Latex gloves only
D. Standard gown
Correct Answer: B. N95 respirator
Feedback: N95 respirators provide a higher level of filtration and fit, protecting against airborne particles
including tuberculosis and other airborne pathogens.
Question 6
What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?
A. Gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
B. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
✓ C. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
Correct Answer: C. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Feedback: The correct order is gown first, then mask, then eye protection, and finally gloves. This sequence
minimizes contamination risk.
Question 7
What is the correct order for doffing (removing) PPE?
✓ A. Gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
B. Eye protection, mask, gloves, gown
C. Gloves, eye protection, gown, mask
D. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
Correct Answer: A. Gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
,Feedback: Gloves are considered the most contaminated and should be removed first, followed by gown, eye
protection, and mask last.
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) pathogen?
A. Escherichia coli
✓ B. Ebola virus
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Correct Answer: B. Ebola virus
Feedback: Ebola virus is a BSL-4 pathogen requiring maximum containment due to its high pathogenicity and
lack of treatment or vaccine.
Question 9
What is the primary route of transmission for influenza virus?
A. Fecal-oral
B. Airborne
✓ C. Droplet
D. Direct contact
Correct Answer: C. Droplet
Feedback: Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or
talking.
Question 10
When should hand hygiene be performed in a clinical setting?
A. Before patient contact only
B. After patient contact only
✓ C. Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves
D. Only when visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C. Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves
Feedback: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after every patient contact, after touching any
patient surroundings, and immediately after removing gloves.
Question 11
Which pathogen is known to be transmitted via the fecal-oral route?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
, ✓ B. Hepatitis A virus
C. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B. Hepatitis A virus
Feedback: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water.
Question 12
What is the minimum level of PPE required for standard precautions in most clinical
settings?
✓ A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and gown
C. Gloves, gown, and mask
D. Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Correct Answer: A. Gloves only
Feedback: Standard precautions typically require gloves as a minimum, with additional PPE added based on
the anticipated exposure.
Question 13
Which of the following is considered a bloodborne pathogen?
A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
✓ B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
C. Influenza virus
D. Rhinovirus
Correct Answer: B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Feedback: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV are bloodborne pathogens transmitted through contact with
infected blood and bodily fluids.
Question 14
What is the purpose of a face shield in addition to a mask?
A. To protect against airborne pathogens
✓ B. To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth from splashes
C. To improve vision
D. To provide respiratory protection
Correct Answer: B. To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth from
splashes
Feedback: Face shields provide a barrier against splashes, sprays, and droplets that could infect the eyes,
nose, and mouth.
Equipment and Pathogenic Microbes
200 Questions — Review Set
Question 1
Standard precautions should be used when handling all patients regardless of their
diagnosis. True or False?
✓ True
False
Correct Answer: True
Feedback: Standard precautions assume that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and non-intact
skin may contain infectious agents and should be treated accordingly.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT considered a component of standard personal protective
equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Face shield
✓ D. Stethoscope
Correct Answer: D. Stethoscope
Feedback: A stethoscope is a medical instrument, not PPE. PPE includes gloves, gowns, masks, face shields,
and eye protection.
Question 3
What is the primary purpose of wearing gloves in a microbiology laboratory?
A. To prevent contamination of samples
✓ B. To protect the wearer from infectious agents and chemicals
C. To improve dexterity
D. To keep hands warm
Correct Answer: B. To protect the wearer from infectious agents and chemicals
Feedback: Gloves act as a barrier to protect the wearer's skin from exposure to pathogens, hazardous
chemicals, and biological samples.
Question 4
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted via which route?
, A. Contact transmission
B. Droplet transmission
✓ C. Airborne transmission
D. Foodborne transmission
Correct Answer: C. Airborne transmission
Feedback: M. tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can remain suspended in the air for
long periods.
Question 5
Which type of PPE is required when working with a patient suspected of having a highly
infectious airborne pathogen?
A. Surgical mask
✓ B. N95 respirator
C. Latex gloves only
D. Standard gown
Correct Answer: B. N95 respirator
Feedback: N95 respirators provide a higher level of filtration and fit, protecting against airborne particles
including tuberculosis and other airborne pathogens.
Question 6
What is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?
A. Gown, mask, gloves, eye protection
B. Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
✓ C. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
D. Eye protection, mask, gown, gloves
Correct Answer: C. Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Feedback: The correct order is gown first, then mask, then eye protection, and finally gloves. This sequence
minimizes contamination risk.
Question 7
What is the correct order for doffing (removing) PPE?
✓ A. Gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
B. Eye protection, mask, gloves, gown
C. Gloves, eye protection, gown, mask
D. Mask, gown, gloves, eye protection
Correct Answer: A. Gloves, gown, eye protection, mask
,Feedback: Gloves are considered the most contaminated and should be removed first, followed by gown, eye
protection, and mask last.
Question 8
Which of the following is an example of a Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) pathogen?
A. Escherichia coli
✓ B. Ebola virus
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Correct Answer: B. Ebola virus
Feedback: Ebola virus is a BSL-4 pathogen requiring maximum containment due to its high pathogenicity and
lack of treatment or vaccine.
Question 9
What is the primary route of transmission for influenza virus?
A. Fecal-oral
B. Airborne
✓ C. Droplet
D. Direct contact
Correct Answer: C. Droplet
Feedback: Influenza is primarily spread through respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or
talking.
Question 10
When should hand hygiene be performed in a clinical setting?
A. Before patient contact only
B. After patient contact only
✓ C. Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves
D. Only when visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C. Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves
Feedback: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after every patient contact, after touching any
patient surroundings, and immediately after removing gloves.
Question 11
Which pathogen is known to be transmitted via the fecal-oral route?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
, ✓ B. Hepatitis A virus
C. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B. Hepatitis A virus
Feedback: Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water.
Question 12
What is the minimum level of PPE required for standard precautions in most clinical
settings?
✓ A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and gown
C. Gloves, gown, and mask
D. Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection
Correct Answer: A. Gloves only
Feedback: Standard precautions typically require gloves as a minimum, with additional PPE added based on
the anticipated exposure.
Question 13
Which of the following is considered a bloodborne pathogen?
A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
✓ B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
C. Influenza virus
D. Rhinovirus
Correct Answer: B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Feedback: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV are bloodborne pathogens transmitted through contact with
infected blood and bodily fluids.
Question 14
What is the purpose of a face shield in addition to a mask?
A. To protect against airborne pathogens
✓ B. To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth from splashes
C. To improve vision
D. To provide respiratory protection
Correct Answer: B. To protect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth from
splashes
Feedback: Face shields provide a barrier against splashes, sprays, and droplets that could infect the eyes,
nose, and mouth.
