BIOD 171 Module 5: Pathogenic Microbes, Biosafety, and PPE Exam
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following bacteria is a common cause of skin infections and is
known for its ability to develop resistance to methicillin?
A. Streptococcus pyogenes
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Escherichia coli
Answer: C
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus, specifically MRSA, is a major cause of skin and soft
tissue infections and is resistant to many beta-lactam antibiotics.
2. A patient presents with a ‘bull’s-eye’ rash (erythema migrans). Which
pathogen is most likely responsible?
A. Yersinia pestis
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Bacillus anthracis
D. Rickettsia rickettsii
Answer: B
Rationale: Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, which typically
begins with a characteristic bull’s-eye rash.
,3. Which Biosafety Level (BSL) is required for working with dangerous and exotic
agents that pose a high risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections?
A. BSL-1
B. BSL-2
C. BSL-4
D. BSL-3
Answer: C
Rationale: BSL-4 is the highest level of biocontainment, used for lethal agents like Ebola
virus that have no available vaccine or cure.
4. Clostridium tetani produces a toxin that causes which of the following
symptoms?
A. Flaccid paralysis
B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
C. Severe watery diarrhea
D. Spastic paralysis and lockjaw
Answer: D
Rationale: Tetanospasmin toxin blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters, leading to constant
muscle contraction (spastic paralysis).
5. Which of the following is considered the most important practice for
preventing the spread of infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing a N95 respirator
B. Sterilizing all surfaces with bleach
C. Hand hygiene
D. Using double gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective way to
prevent the transmission of healthcare-associated infections.
, 6. Which pathogen is the primary cause of ‘pink eye’ or conjunctivitis?
A. Staphylococcus epidermidis
B. Propionibacterium acnes
C. Haemophilus influenzae
D. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Answer: C
Rationale: While many microbes can cause it, Haemophilus influenzae is one of the most
common bacterial causes of acute conjunctivitis.
7. What is the primary vector for the transmission of Malaria?
A. Anopheles mosquitoes
B. Ixodes ticks
C. Xenopsylla fleas
D. Glossina tsetse flies
Answer: A
Rationale: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and is transmitted to humans
through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
8. Which condition involves a systemic inflammatory response to an infection in
the bloodstream?
A. Septicemia/Sepsis
B. Bacteremia
C. Viremia
D. Lymphangitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host
response to infection, often involving the blood.
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following bacteria is a common cause of skin infections and is
known for its ability to develop resistance to methicillin?
A. Streptococcus pyogenes
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Escherichia coli
Answer: C
Rationale: Staphylococcus aureus, specifically MRSA, is a major cause of skin and soft
tissue infections and is resistant to many beta-lactam antibiotics.
2. A patient presents with a ‘bull’s-eye’ rash (erythema migrans). Which
pathogen is most likely responsible?
A. Yersinia pestis
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Bacillus anthracis
D. Rickettsia rickettsii
Answer: B
Rationale: Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, which typically
begins with a characteristic bull’s-eye rash.
,3. Which Biosafety Level (BSL) is required for working with dangerous and exotic
agents that pose a high risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections?
A. BSL-1
B. BSL-2
C. BSL-4
D. BSL-3
Answer: C
Rationale: BSL-4 is the highest level of biocontainment, used for lethal agents like Ebola
virus that have no available vaccine or cure.
4. Clostridium tetani produces a toxin that causes which of the following
symptoms?
A. Flaccid paralysis
B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
C. Severe watery diarrhea
D. Spastic paralysis and lockjaw
Answer: D
Rationale: Tetanospasmin toxin blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters, leading to constant
muscle contraction (spastic paralysis).
5. Which of the following is considered the most important practice for
preventing the spread of infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing a N95 respirator
B. Sterilizing all surfaces with bleach
C. Hand hygiene
D. Using double gloves
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective way to
prevent the transmission of healthcare-associated infections.
, 6. Which pathogen is the primary cause of ‘pink eye’ or conjunctivitis?
A. Staphylococcus epidermidis
B. Propionibacterium acnes
C. Haemophilus influenzae
D. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Answer: C
Rationale: While many microbes can cause it, Haemophilus influenzae is one of the most
common bacterial causes of acute conjunctivitis.
7. What is the primary vector for the transmission of Malaria?
A. Anopheles mosquitoes
B. Ixodes ticks
C. Xenopsylla fleas
D. Glossina tsetse flies
Answer: A
Rationale: Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites and is transmitted to humans
through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
8. Which condition involves a systemic inflammatory response to an infection in
the bloodstream?
A. Septicemia/Sepsis
B. Bacteremia
C. Viremia
D. Lymphangitis
Answer: A
Rationale: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host
response to infection, often involving the blood.
