Basics

Question 1

What is smaller? polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) or Lymphocyte

Answer 1

Lymphocyte

Question 2

T or F: lymphocytes present in large numbers in CSF.

Answer 2

False, lymphocytes are normally present in small numbers in healthy individuals in CSF. High numbers of lymphocytes in CSF usually indicates viral meningitis.

Question 3

What type of cell is larger than a polymorphonuclear neutrophil?

Answer 3

macrophage

Question 3

Are macrophages short-lived or long-lived?

Answer 3

long-lived

Question 4

If ciliated columnar epithelial cells are present on a Gram stain, where should you first guess the specimen is from?

Answer 4

lower respiratory tract

Question 5

Single purple sphere on Gram stain.

Answer 5

Gram-positive coccus

Question 6

What is it called when cocci appear in pairs?

Answer 6

diplococci

Question 7

What is it called when there are groups of exactly four cocci on a Gram stain?

Answer 7

tetrads (aka small clusters)

Question 8

What do you call a purple rectangular-shaped bacterium on a Gram stain?

Answer 8

Gram-positive rod or bacillus

Question 9

Name the 4 clinically significant shapes of Gram-positive rods?

Answer 9

1. long, wide
2. long narrow
3. coccobacilli (very short and coccoid rods)
4. branched rods

Question 10

Name the 4 clinically significant groupings of Gram-positive cocci?

Answer 10

1. diplococci
2. chains
3. tetrads
4. clusters

Question 11

Name the 2 clinically significant groupings of Gram-negative cocci?

Answer 11

1. spherical
2. diplococci (circle or kidney-shaped)

Question 12

Name the 5 clinically significant shapes of Gram-negative rods?

Answer 12

1. Fusiform rods (long, narrow with pointed end)
2. long, narrow rods (may appear in short chains)
   3.coccobacilli (short, narrow)
3. curved rods (may form short chains)
4. spiral

Question 13

What do yeasts most commonly appear as?

Answer 13

blastoconidia or “budding” yeast

Question 14

What is the typical morphology of a yeast with a Gram stain?

Answer 14

large spherical Gram-positive organism (usually larger than bacteria)

Question 15

If antibiotics are present, what could be the consequence for some species of bacteria on a Gram stain?

Answer 15

The presence of antibiotics may alter the size (e.g. swollen), shape (e.g. elongated), and arrangement of some species of bacteria.

Question 15

T or F: Any organism is considered significant in CSF.

Answer 15

True
The presence of PMNs and/or mononuclear cells usually indicates infection.

Question 16

What immune cell type is usually predominant in a bacterial infection?

Answer 16

polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)

Question 17

T or F: Any organism is considered significant in blood.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What are three of the most common skin contaminates that can be pathogenic in certain circumstances in blood?

Answer 18

staphylococci
micrococci
corynebacteria