MDLB 1521 module B - microbiological specimens
Questions || Graded
What are the four main groups of microbiological specimens? - Correct Answer
Bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses
Blood fluid specimens include - Correct Answer Blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF), respiratory specimens (sputum), and other fluids (synovial, pleural, etc.)
Safety procedures in the collection of specimens - Correct Answer Follow standard
precautions, use appropriate PPE, do not contaminate the external surface of the
collection container or the requisition, minimize direct handling of specimens in transit
from collection point to lab, and use plastic, sealable bags with a separate pouch for
paperwork
Whenever possible, specimens for culture are collected _____________ administration
of antibiotics - Correct Answer Before
Specimens should be collected with as little - Correct Answer Contamination from
normal flora as possible to ensure that the sample will be representative of the infected
site.
Always collect an _______________ amount of specimen for testing - Correct Answer
Adequate
It is crucial to ___________ specimens correctly with the _____________, and
_____________. - Correct Answer Specific source and specific site. So that the
appropriate culture media can be selected during processing
Using appropriate collection devices, specimen containers, and transport media
ensures - Correct Answer Preservation of viability of microorganisms, ensuring their
optimal recovery.
Specimens should be collected in - Correct Answer Sterile, sturdy, screw-cap, leak-
proof containers with kids that do not create an aerosol when opened
Culture container labels should include - Correct Answer Patient's full name, hospital
number or equivalent, specimen source, & time and date of collection
commensal organisms - Correct Answer bacteria normally found at various non-sterile
body sites but do no harm
Specimens are collected into or onto what? - Correct Answer Sterile containers or
sterile culture swabs
, Culture swabs are used for - Correct Answer Culture and sensitivity testing of various
body parts
Culture swabs have a _______________ or a __________________ in the bottom of
the container to keep the bacteria alive during transport. - Correct Answer Transport
gel or a moistened sponge
Physicians or nurses rather than MLAs will collect cultures from - Correct Answer
Swabs from wounds, body fluids, respiratory tract, and genital specimens
Because urine is a good growth medium in which organisms will multiply rapidly, urine
must be - Correct Answer Either cultures within 2 hours of collection or refrigerated (4
degrees C) for up to 24 hours until it can be cultured.
An alternative to refrigeration for urines is a tube with a preservative called - Correct
Answer Boric acid-glycerol-sodium formate - maintains a stable bacterial population for
up to 48 hours.
CSF is obtained from - Correct Answer A spinal tan or lumbar puncture
CSF is collected in - Correct Answer 3-4 separate tubes. The first goes to chemistry
(for protein and glucose), the second to microbiology (for culture), the third to
hematology (for cell counts & differentials), and the fourth is sometimes kept aside for
further testing just in case.
CSF are always considered - Correct Answer STAT and processes immediately -
never refrigerated before culturing
Body fluids are especially critical specimens because - Correct Answer They require
invasive collection procedures and generally indicate a systemic infection throughout
the body
Vaginal swabs - Correct Answer Examined for bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, &
Trichomonas (a parasite)
Cervix and urethral swabs - Correct Answer Tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia via
NAAT method
Why is collecting and processing specimens from patients with ocular infections
problematic? - Correct Answer Because tears constantly wash the eye and contain
natural antibacterial agents
For best results, mouth swabs are obtained before - Correct Answer The patient
begins antimicrobial therapy
Questions || Graded
What are the four main groups of microbiological specimens? - Correct Answer
Bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses
Blood fluid specimens include - Correct Answer Blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF), respiratory specimens (sputum), and other fluids (synovial, pleural, etc.)
Safety procedures in the collection of specimens - Correct Answer Follow standard
precautions, use appropriate PPE, do not contaminate the external surface of the
collection container or the requisition, minimize direct handling of specimens in transit
from collection point to lab, and use plastic, sealable bags with a separate pouch for
paperwork
Whenever possible, specimens for culture are collected _____________ administration
of antibiotics - Correct Answer Before
Specimens should be collected with as little - Correct Answer Contamination from
normal flora as possible to ensure that the sample will be representative of the infected
site.
Always collect an _______________ amount of specimen for testing - Correct Answer
Adequate
It is crucial to ___________ specimens correctly with the _____________, and
_____________. - Correct Answer Specific source and specific site. So that the
appropriate culture media can be selected during processing
Using appropriate collection devices, specimen containers, and transport media
ensures - Correct Answer Preservation of viability of microorganisms, ensuring their
optimal recovery.
Specimens should be collected in - Correct Answer Sterile, sturdy, screw-cap, leak-
proof containers with kids that do not create an aerosol when opened
Culture container labels should include - Correct Answer Patient's full name, hospital
number or equivalent, specimen source, & time and date of collection
commensal organisms - Correct Answer bacteria normally found at various non-sterile
body sites but do no harm
Specimens are collected into or onto what? - Correct Answer Sterile containers or
sterile culture swabs
, Culture swabs are used for - Correct Answer Culture and sensitivity testing of various
body parts
Culture swabs have a _______________ or a __________________ in the bottom of
the container to keep the bacteria alive during transport. - Correct Answer Transport
gel or a moistened sponge
Physicians or nurses rather than MLAs will collect cultures from - Correct Answer
Swabs from wounds, body fluids, respiratory tract, and genital specimens
Because urine is a good growth medium in which organisms will multiply rapidly, urine
must be - Correct Answer Either cultures within 2 hours of collection or refrigerated (4
degrees C) for up to 24 hours until it can be cultured.
An alternative to refrigeration for urines is a tube with a preservative called - Correct
Answer Boric acid-glycerol-sodium formate - maintains a stable bacterial population for
up to 48 hours.
CSF is obtained from - Correct Answer A spinal tan or lumbar puncture
CSF is collected in - Correct Answer 3-4 separate tubes. The first goes to chemistry
(for protein and glucose), the second to microbiology (for culture), the third to
hematology (for cell counts & differentials), and the fourth is sometimes kept aside for
further testing just in case.
CSF are always considered - Correct Answer STAT and processes immediately -
never refrigerated before culturing
Body fluids are especially critical specimens because - Correct Answer They require
invasive collection procedures and generally indicate a systemic infection throughout
the body
Vaginal swabs - Correct Answer Examined for bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, &
Trichomonas (a parasite)
Cervix and urethral swabs - Correct Answer Tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia via
NAAT method
Why is collecting and processing specimens from patients with ocular infections
problematic? - Correct Answer Because tears constantly wash the eye and contain
natural antibacterial agents
For best results, mouth swabs are obtained before - Correct Answer The patient
begins antimicrobial therapy
