Chapter 4: Microbiology for Central Service Technicians

Question 1

the study of microorganisms. the science which treats the nature, like, and action of microorganisms

Answer 1

microbiology

Question 2

the state of being soiled or infected by contact with infectious organisms or other material

Answer 2

contamination

Question 3

capable of causing disease (disease-causing microorganisms)

Answer 3

pathogen

Question 4

a unit of measurement; 1/1000 of a millimeter or 1/25,000 of an inch; usually designated by the Greek letter u

Answer 4

Micron

Question 5

required the presence of air of free oxygen to survive

Answer 5

aerobic

Question 6

bacteria that can live in the absence of atmospheric oxygen

Answer 6

anaerobic

Question 7

the common different shapes of bacteria

Answer 7

spherical, rod, and spiral

Question 8

microorganisms capable of forming a thick wall around themselves enabling them to survive in adverse conditions; a resistant form of bacterium

Answer 8

endospores

Question 9

the type of staining used to determine the different type of bacteria

Answer 9

gram staining

Question 10

the color of gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus

Answer 10

purple

Question 11

the color of gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas

Answer 11

red

Question 12

used when rod-shaped acid-fast bacilli bacteria that are very different to stain such as mycobacteria

Answer 12

acid fast (Ziehl-Neilson Stain)

Question 13

measure of alkalinity or acidity on a scale of 0 to 14

Answer 13

pH

Question 14

pH of 7

Answer 14

neutral

Question 15

pH below 7

Answer 15

acid

Question 16

pH above 7

Answer 16

alkaline

Question 17

bacteria whose optimum temperature for growth is 59ºF to 68ºF or below

Answer 17

psychrophiles (bacteria)

Question 18

bacteria that grow best at moderate temperatures of 68 - 113ºF. most are pathogenic to humans as they grow best at body temperature

Answer 18

mesophiles (bacteria)

Question 19

bacteria that grow best at temperatures of 122ºF - 158ºF

Answer 19

thermophiles (bacteria)

Question 20

a thick mucus-like substance that is colorless and translucent that forms the biochemical basis of life found within the cell nucleus

Answer 20

protoplasm

Question 21

the living matter of a cell between the cells membrane and nucleus

Answer 21

cytoplasm

Question 22

round or spherical-shaped bacteria

Answer 22

cocci

Question 23

rod-shaped bacteria

Answer 23

bacillus

Question 24

the invasion of human body tissue by microorganisms which multiply and produce a reaction

Answer 24

infection

Question 25

Causative Agent
Reservoir of the Agent
Portal of Exit of the Agent to the Reservoir
Mode of Transmission
Portal of Entry into the Host
Susceptible Host

Answer 25

the chain of infection

Question 26

spiral-shaped bacteria

Answer 26

spirillum

Question 27

microorganisms capable for forming a thick wall around themselves that enables them to survive in adverse conditions

Answer 27

spores

Question 28

the typical method of bacterial reproduction in which the cell divides into two equal parts

Answer 28

binary fission

Question 29

an inanimate object that can transmit bacteria

Answer 29

fomite

Question 30

a living object that can transmit bacteria

Answer 30

vector

Question 31

they are an infectious agent that grow only in living tissue or cells as they require a host. they are the smallest microorganisms and are about 1,000 times smaller than bacteria

Answer 31

virus

Question 32

the percentage of hospital patients that develop healthcare facility-associated infection

Answer 32

approximately 10%

Question 33

state of active growth of microorganisms

Answer 33

vegetative stage

Question 34

a unit used to measure the length of light waves

Answer 34

angstrom

Question 35

multiple-drug resistant organisms

Answer 35

MDRO

Question 36

lives on the skin and is known for causing severe infections. they are spread by direct contact by touching the contaminated surface

Answer 36

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

Question 37

lives in the bowels and is transmitted when hands become contaminated from feces, urine or blood that is infected

Answer 37

VRE (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci)

Question 38

this bacterium is found on the hand and in the intestinal tract. it causes pneumonia, nasal infections, urinary tract, wound and bloodstream infections

Answer 38

Klebsiella

Question 39

is found normally in the soil. it is transmitted from person to person contact or by contact with contaminated surfaces

Answer 39

acinetobacter

Question 40

they are a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they have a high level of resistance to antibiotics. this is usually found in the gut and is associated with devices such as catheters, endoscopes, and ventilators

Answer 40

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

Question 41

a one-celled organism that lives in moist habitat and is aerobic, but some species found in the human intestines are anaerobic. reproduce asexually

Answer 41

protozoa

Question 42

this is a group of plant-like organisms that include molds, mushrooms, and yeasts

Answer 42

fungi

Question 43

are abnormal infectious protein. contains no nucleic acid, does not trigger an immune response and is not destroyed through extreme heat or cold

Answer 43

prions

Question 44

is a specific type of prion disease that is extremely resistant to heat and disinfecting agents. refer to your facility’s policy for CJD cleaning and sterilization procedures

Answer 44

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)

Question 45

type of viruses most prevalent chronic blood-borne infections today

Answer 45

HIV and HBV