Part 1

Question 1

When cleansing the skin with alcohol and then iodine for the collection of a blood culture, the iodine (or iodophor) should remain in contact on the skin for at least:

a. 10 seconds
b. 30 seconds
c. 60 seconds
d. 5 minutes

Answer 1

c. 60 seconds

Question 2

What is the purpose of adding sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) to nutrient broth media for the collection of blood cultures?

a. Inhibits phagocytosis and complement
b. Promotes formation of a blood clot
c. Enhances growth of anaerobes
d. Functions as a preservative

Answer 2

a. Inhibits phagocytosis and complement

Question 3

A technologist is reading a Gram stain from a CSF and observes small structures suggestive of gram-negative coccobacilli. Chemistry and hematology CSF results that would indicate bacterial meningitis include:

a. WBC - increased; Glucose - increased; Protein increased
b. WBC - decreased; Glucose - decreased; Protein - decreased
c. WBC - increased; Glucose - decreased; Protein increased
d. WBC - decreased; Glucose - increased; Protein - decreased

Answer 3

c. WBC - Increased; Glucose - decreased; Protein increased