[1] Select all the important procedures that are required when performing the routine collection

method of microbial specimens

a. A specimen should be collected in a sterile container
b. A specimen should be properly labeled with the patient's name, date, and time of collection
c. A specimen should be collected by using a sterile cotton swab or collection needles
d. A specimen should be collected only after the start of antibiotic therapy

[2] Which of the following is the correct volume size of blood specimen taken from the adult
patient for the routine laboratory diagnosis of the infection and the identification of the
possible pathogen?
a. 1 ml
b. 10 ml
c. 20 ml
d. 0.5 ml

[3] Which of the following specimens are appropriate clinical specimens and are commonly
used for the proper diagnosis of Salmonellosis?
Select all the correct options
a. Blood specimen
b. Throat swab
c. Urine specimen
d. Stool specimen

[4] Which of the following specimen collection procedure can give accurate results for the
laboratory diagnosis of Tuberculosis?
a. Throat swab specimen each morning for 3 consecutive days
b. Sputum specimen each morning for 3 consecutive days
c. Blood specimens once a week for 2 weeks
d. Skin biopsy test before the start of antibiotics therapy

[5] Name the routine method used for the direct microscopic examination of a urine sample
taken from a person suspected of urinary tract infection?
a. Wet mount method
b. Hanging drop method
c. Thin and thick smear method
d. Widal test method

[6] Herpes simplex virus is one of the contagious viral diseases; HSV 1 is can spread from
person to person.
Which of the following cells appear as multinucleated cells taken from the lesion specimen
and can be observed by the direct microscopy method?
a. Buruli ulcer cells
b. Schizont cells
c. Tzanck cells
[7] Which of the following temperature can be optimal for the storage of swab specimens taken
from the Coronavirus infected patient while performing the Covid-19 test method?
a. 2 to 4 degrees Celsius for up to 24 hours after the specimen collection
b. 25 degrees celsius for up to 3 days after the specimen collection
c. 2 to 4 degrees Celsius for up to 72 hours after the specimen collection
d. 5 to 10 degrees Celsius for up to a week after the specimen collection

[8] Which of the following microorganism can be detected by their ability to produce a toxin
and can be identified by Elek's test method?
a. Cryptococcus neoformans
b. Corynebacterium diphtheria
c. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
d. Bacillus anthracis

[9] Which of the following chemical compound is commonly used to clean and decontaminate
the infected skin area or nail before the collection of the specimens and laboratory
diagnosis?
a. Iodine solution
b. KOH solution
c. Warm water
d. 70% alcohol

[10] Which of the following is the most widely used test for the detection of genetic material in
the Covid-19 swab sample?
a. PCR test (Polymerase chain reaction)
b. Western blot test
c. ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)
d. Animal inoculation test

[11] Which of the following specimen is appropriate for the laboratory diagnosis of meningitis?
a. Throat swab
b. Hair and skin samples
c. Cerebrospinal fluid
d. Urine specimen

[12] Direct microscopy is a common laboratory diagnosis procedure performed for the detection
of spores or mycelia present in fungi.
Select all the correct methods or steps for the procedure
a. 1- 2 drops of potassium hydroxide are added to the slide that contains the specimen (skin,
hair, or sputum)
b. The slide is covered with the coverslip
c. The slide is kept in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to digest the keratin present in a
specimen
d. The slide is observed under the microscope
[13] Name all the common types of cell culture methods most frequently used in the isolation of
a virus
a. Animal inoculation
b. Tissue culture
c. Embryonated eggs
d. Agar culture media

[14] A blood smear is considered the gold standard diagnosis for identification of malarial
parasite.
Name the commonly used stain for the identification of the material parasite and detection
of the life stages of the parasite?
a. Lactophenol cotton blue
b. Giemsa stain
c. Gram stain
d. Malachite green

[15] Select all the important laboratory techniques and methods used for the identification of
different microorganisms
a. Microscopic methods
b. Culture methods
c. Serological methods
d. Animal inoculation
e. Antigen detection test
f. Molecular methods

[16] What is the ideal time period limit for the transportation of the specimen to the laboratory
after the collection method?
a. 2 minutes
b. 30 minutes
c. 1 hour
d. 2 hours

[17] Which of the following preservatives is commonly used to preserve urine specimen?
a. Boric acid
b. Ethyl alcohol
c. Formalin
d. Hydrogen peroxide

[18] Which of the following anticoagulant is used for the preservation of blood and bone
marrow specimens?
a. Boric acid
b. Ethyl alcohol
c. Polyvinyl alcohol
d. Sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS)
[19] What is the correct standard method used by a microbiologist for the storage of specimens
such as urine, stool and swabs?
a. Storage at frozen -80 degree Celsius
b. Storage at refrigerator at 4 degree Celsius
c. Storage at room temperature at 25 degree Celsius
d. None of the above

[20] Which of the following is the appropriate oxygen and carbon dioxide level for the
incubation and culture of capnophilic bacteria such as Haemophilus
influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
a. 0.03% CO2 and 21% O2
b. 5% to 10% CO2 and 0% O2
c. 5% to 10% CO2 and15% O2
d. 0.03% CO2 and 0% O2

[21] Gram stain also known as differential stain is the principle stain mainly used in the
microscopic identification and differentiation of which of the following group of
pathogens?
a. Gram positive and gram negative bacteria
b. Mold, yeast and Fungi
c. DNA and RNA Viruses
d. Helminths and protozoa

[22] All of the following are macroscopic morphology in culture/agar media that should be
observed by a microbiologist in the identification process of the bacteria, Except
a. Colony shape and size
b. Pigmentation of the colony
c. Surface appearance of the colony
d. Microscopic observation of the colony
 Answers 1
[1] a., b., and c
[2] 10 ml
[3] a. Blood specimen and d. Stool specimen
[4] Sputum specimen each morning for 3 consecutive days
[5] Wet mount method
[6] d. Tzanck cells
[7] c. 2 to 4 degrees Celsius for up to 72 hours after the specimen collection
[8] b. Corynebacterium diptheriae
[9] d. 70% alcohol
[10] a. PCR test
[11] c. Cerebrospinal fluid
[12] a., b., and d. are the correct answers.
The option c) is incorrect, the slide should be heated gently over the flame to digest the
keratin
[13] a., b., and c. are the correct answers.
The option d) is incorrect, because virus cultivation is very difficult in artificial culture media
(solid agar culture media)
[14] b. Giemsa stain
[15] All of the options, a) to f)
[16] d. 2 hours
[17] a. Boric acid
[18] d. Sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS), it is added in collection tubes or vials to prevent
clotting of blood specimens.
[19] b. Storage at refrigerator at 4 degree Celsius
[20] c. 5% to 10% CO2 and15% O2
[21] a. Gram positive and gram negative bacteria
[22] a. Colony shape and size, b. Pigmentation of the colony and c. Surface appearance of the
colony
 Question 2

1. What is the preferred method for collecting blood specimens for blood culture to detect
bacterial infections?
a) Fingerstick
b) Saliva collection
c) Swabbing the skin surface
d) Venipuncture

2. Which of the following is NOT a common site for collecting a throat swab specimen?
a) Abdominal cavity
b) Posterior pharyngeal wall
c) Nasopharynx
d) Tonsils

3. When collecting a wound specimen for culture, which step is essential to minimize
contamination?
a) Avoiding gloves
b) Cleaning the wound with sterile saline
c) Collecting the specimen after applying antiseptics
d) Using a non-sterile container

4. Which of the following is a suitable transport medium for stool specimens in cases of
suspected bacterial enteric pathogens?
a) Buffered glycerol saline
b) Cotton swab
c) Dry container
d) Urine container

5. Which of the following is NOT a standard precaution when handling clinical specimens in the
laboratory?
a) Ensuring proper specimen labeling
b) Leaving specimen containers open to allow for ventilation
c) Minimizing aerosol generation
d) Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

6. What is the ideal temperature range for transporting and storing most clinical specimens
before they reach the laboratory?
a) Body temperature (37°C)
b) Freezing (-20°C)
c) Refrigerated (2-8°C)
d) Room temperature (20-25°C)
7. What is the recommended timeframe for transporting specimens to the laboratory from the
collection point?
a) Within 2 hours
b) Within 6 hours
c) Within 24 hours
d) Within 48 hours

8. What should be included in the information provided to nursing staff and clinicians regarding
specimen collection?
a) Safety considerations and patient history
b) Transportation instructions and specimen storage guidelines
c) Patient demographic information and specimen color
d) Preferred antibiotics for specimen preservation

9. What type of bags are commonly used for transporting specimens and paperwork separately?
a) Paper bags
b) Glass bags
c) Plastic bags
d) Fabric bags

10. Which of the following is NOT a key consideration when collecting clinical specimens for
microbiological testing?
a) Proper labeling
b) Timely transport to the laboratory
c) Collection in a sterile container
d) Handling without gloves to avoid contamination

11. Which of the following is NOT part of the essential information for nursing staff and
clinicians when collecting specimens?
a) Sterile versus nonsterile collection devices
b) Patient's favorite color
c) Special instructions for patient preparation
d) Selection of the appropriate anatomic site

12. Why is labeling with a minimum of two patient identifiers important when collecting
specimens?
a) To determine the patient's favorite color
b) To ensure the specimen is stored at the right temperature
c) To accurately identify the patient the specimen belongs to
d) To select the appropriate swab for collection

13. What type of information should be provided regarding the selection of the appropriate
anatomic site for specimen collection?
a) Patient's medical history
b) Patient's dietary preferences
c) Patient's preferred mode of transportation
d) Clinical indications for specimen collection

14. Which of the following is a safety consideration when collecting specimens?

a) The patient's dietary restrictions
b) The patient's blood type
c) The use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
d) The patient's favorite movie

15. What information is crucial in transportation instructions for collected specimens?

a) The patient's preferred method of communication
b) Time and temperature constraints
c) The patient's weight
d) None of the above

16. Which environmental condition can affect the viability of anaerobic bacteria during specimen
transportation?
a) High humidity
b) Low temperature
c) Low light
d) Presence of oxygen

17. What important label should be affixed to bags used for transporting clinical specimens?
a) Biohazard label
b) Laboratory barcode label
c) Manufacturer's label
d) Patient identification label

18. In which circumstance would you collect a sterile body fluid specimen for microbiological
analysis?
a) Detection of viral antibodies
b) Diagnosis of a fungal skin infection
c) Routine check-up
d) Suspected bacterial meningitis

19. Which of the following microorganisms may require special transportation conditions due to
sensitivity to changes in temperature?
a) Escherichia coli
b) Neisseria meningitidis
c) Streptococcus spp
d) Salmonella typhi

20. Why are anticoagulants used in specimen collection for microbiological testing, such as
blood, bone marrow, and synovial fluid?
a) To prevent clotting and allow for the isolation of microorganisms
b) To prevent the growth of microorganisms
c) To enhance the color of the specimen
d) To accelerate the growth of microorganisms

21. What is the typical concentration of sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) used as an
anticoagulant in microbiological specimen collection?
a) 0.001%
b) 0.01%
c) 0.025%
d) 0.1%

22. Which anticoagulant is commonly used for viral cultures but may inhibit the growth of gram-
positive bacteria and yeast?
a) Citrate
b) Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
c) Heparin
d) Sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS)

23. In cases where mislabeling or errors are suspected with a specimen collected through an
invasive technique, what is the preferred approach for correcting the problem?
a) Calling the laboratory and requesting a correction
b) Having the person who collected the specimen and filled out the paperwork come to the
laboratory to correct the issue
c) Discarding the specimen and collecting a new one
d) Sending an email to the healthcare team
 Answers 2
1. d) Venipuncture
2. a) Abdominal cavity
3. b) Cleaning the wound with sterile saline
4. a) Buffered glycerol saline
5. b) Leaving specimen containers open to allow for ventilation
6. d) Room temperature (20-25°C)
7. a) Within 2 hours
8. b) Transportation instructions and specimen storage guidelines
9. c) Plastic bags
10. d) Handling without gloves to avoid contamination
11. b) Patient's favorite color
12. c) To accurately identify the patient the specimen belongs to
13. d) Clinical indications for specimen collection
14. c) The use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
15. b) Time and temperature constraints
16. d) Presence of oxygen
17. a) Biohazard label
18. d) Suspected bacterial meningitis
19. b) Neisseria meningitidis
20. a) To prevent clotting and allow for the isolation of microorganisms
21. c) 0.025%
22. c) Heparin
23. b) Having the person who collected the specimen and filled out the paperwork come to the
laboratory to correct the issue