Clinical Microbiology & Antimicrobial Susceptibility Master Exam: Gram Stains
(Abscess, Wound, Sputum, CSF, Body Fluids, Urethra, Stool), Inappropriate
Specimens (Throat, Rectal, Vaginal), Acridine Orange Staining, CSF Pathogens (H.
influenzae, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, GBS, Listeria, Coag-negative Staph),
Stool Media & Incubation (BAP, MAC/EMB, HE, SS, XLD, GN Broth, CIN, TCBS,
SMAC), Genital Smears & Culture (Clue Cells, GNDC, Yeast; BAP, MTM, Todd-
Hewitt/Carrot Broth, HBT, V Agar, MAC/EMB), Respiratory, Sinus, Otitis
Media/Externa, Epiglottis, Urine, Blood, Brucella, Catheter Cultures, Antibiotics
& Antimicrobials, Bactericidal & Bacteriostatic Agents, Spectrum of Activity,
Mechanism of Action, Plasmids & Transposons, Drug Interactions (Synergy,
Additive, Antagonism, Indifferent), Resistance Types (Intrinsic, Acquired,
Constitutive, Inducible, Homogeneous, Heterogeneous), Beta-Lactams
(Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, Monobactams, Beta-Lactamase,
ESBL, Low Affinity PBPs, Permeability Barriers), Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
(Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Clindamycin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol), Cell
Wall Synthesis Inhibitors (Glycopeptides, Vancomycin, VRE), RNA & DNA
Synthesis Inhibitors (Rifampin, Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin, Quinolones,
Sulfamides), Cytoplasmic Membrane Disruptors (Bacitracin, Polymixins), AST
Methods (Kirby-Bauer, E-Test, Broth & Agar Dilution, Mueller-Hinton,
Haemophilus Test Medium, BHI Vancomycin Agar), MIC & MBC, Peak/Trough
Specimens, Schlicter Test, Antibiograms, MRSA (PBP2a, Oxacillin, D-Test) Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
,What specimens are appropriate for gram stains?
Abscess/Wound
Sputum
Body Fluids
Urethra (GC)
Stool (fecal WBC)
How are cells and bacteria enumerated
Cells (10X)
Bacteria (100X)
1-10 = few=1+
11-24 = moderate= 2+
>= 25 = many = 3+
Inappropriate Gram Stain Specimens
Throat
Rectal
Vaginal
Stool (unless looking for PMN, Campy, Staph)
Acridine Orange Stain
Stains nucleic acids of living or dead cells.
, Prepare slide and fix with methanol.
Flood with stain, rinse and examine under 40X.
Bacteria / Yeast will fluoresce orange.
Common Pathogens of CSF
H. flu
S. pneumo
N. meningitidis
GBS
Listeria
Coag- Staph
CSF Rhinorrhea
CSF leak through nasal passages from:
trauma / tumors
Stool Media and Incubation
BAP, MAC/EMB, HE, SS, XLD, GN Broth, Campy
CIN (Yersinia)
TCBS (Vibrio)
SMAC (E. coli 0157:H7)
Incubate in air at 37.
(Abscess, Wound, Sputum, CSF, Body Fluids, Urethra, Stool), Inappropriate
Specimens (Throat, Rectal, Vaginal), Acridine Orange Staining, CSF Pathogens (H.
influenzae, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, GBS, Listeria, Coag-negative Staph),
Stool Media & Incubation (BAP, MAC/EMB, HE, SS, XLD, GN Broth, CIN, TCBS,
SMAC), Genital Smears & Culture (Clue Cells, GNDC, Yeast; BAP, MTM, Todd-
Hewitt/Carrot Broth, HBT, V Agar, MAC/EMB), Respiratory, Sinus, Otitis
Media/Externa, Epiglottis, Urine, Blood, Brucella, Catheter Cultures, Antibiotics
& Antimicrobials, Bactericidal & Bacteriostatic Agents, Spectrum of Activity,
Mechanism of Action, Plasmids & Transposons, Drug Interactions (Synergy,
Additive, Antagonism, Indifferent), Resistance Types (Intrinsic, Acquired,
Constitutive, Inducible, Homogeneous, Heterogeneous), Beta-Lactams
(Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, Monobactams, Beta-Lactamase,
ESBL, Low Affinity PBPs, Permeability Barriers), Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
(Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Clindamycin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol), Cell
Wall Synthesis Inhibitors (Glycopeptides, Vancomycin, VRE), RNA & DNA
Synthesis Inhibitors (Rifampin, Metronidazole, Nitrofurantoin, Quinolones,
Sulfamides), Cytoplasmic Membrane Disruptors (Bacitracin, Polymixins), AST
Methods (Kirby-Bauer, E-Test, Broth & Agar Dilution, Mueller-Hinton,
Haemophilus Test Medium, BHI Vancomycin Agar), MIC & MBC, Peak/Trough
Specimens, Schlicter Test, Antibiograms, MRSA (PBP2a, Oxacillin, D-Test) Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
,What specimens are appropriate for gram stains?
Abscess/Wound
Sputum
Body Fluids
Urethra (GC)
Stool (fecal WBC)
How are cells and bacteria enumerated
Cells (10X)
Bacteria (100X)
1-10 = few=1+
11-24 = moderate= 2+
>= 25 = many = 3+
Inappropriate Gram Stain Specimens
Throat
Rectal
Vaginal
Stool (unless looking for PMN, Campy, Staph)
Acridine Orange Stain
Stains nucleic acids of living or dead cells.
, Prepare slide and fix with methanol.
Flood with stain, rinse and examine under 40X.
Bacteria / Yeast will fluoresce orange.
Common Pathogens of CSF
H. flu
S. pneumo
N. meningitidis
GBS
Listeria
Coag- Staph
CSF Rhinorrhea
CSF leak through nasal passages from:
trauma / tumors
Stool Media and Incubation
BAP, MAC/EMB, HE, SS, XLD, GN Broth, Campy
CIN (Yersinia)
TCBS (Vibrio)
SMAC (E. coli 0157:H7)
Incubate in air at 37.
