Respiratory Cultures Flashcards
Obj. 1: Diagram the anatomical areas of the respiratory tract including which areas are “upper”
and “lower.”
Upper
- Nasal Cavity
- Pharynx
- Larynx
Lower
- Trachea
- Primary Bronchi
- Lungs
- Bronchioles
- Alveoli
Obj. 2: Identify the areas of the respiratory tract that are considered sterile
Lower
- Trachea
- Primary Bronchi
- Lungs
- Bronchioles
- Alveoli
Obj. 3: Identify which specimens avoid exposure to usual flora of the upper respiratory tract
- Lung aspirates or biopsies
- Transtracheal aspirates
Obj. 4: Briefly describe the methods employed for collecting throat (oropharynx) and sinus infection specimens
Throat (oropharynx)
- Dacron or Rayon swabs
- Swab over both tonsils and posterior oropharynx (avoid contact with tongue, teeth, and gums)
Sinus infection
- Sinus puncture and aspiration
Obj. 5: Describe the various methods for collecting lower respiratory tract specimens (sputum vs.
BAL)
Sputum
- production from deep cough
- early a.m. preferred
BAL
- saline is injected into patient’s lung to fill alveolar
sacs — saline is removed and used for culturing
Obj. 5: Describe the various methods for collecting lower respiratory tract specimens (tracheal vs. transtracheal aspirate)
Tracheal
- manual induction of sputum and suction
Transtracheal
- catheter inserted directly into the trachea
Obj. 5: Describe the various methods for collecting lower respiratory tract specimens (open lung biopsy vs. Fine Needle Aspirate)
Open Lung Biopsy
- removal of lung tissue via surgery
Fine Needle Aspirate
- aspiration needle inserted into lung or lesion, less
invasive than a lung biopsy
Obj. 6: List the organisms most commonly found as “usual flora” in upper respiratory tract specimens
- Corynebacterium spp.
- Alpha and gamma hemolytic streptococci
- Beta-hemolytic streptococci (not Grp. A)
- Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus
- Enterococcus spp.
- Neisseria spp.
- Eikenella corrodens
- Capnocytophaga spp.
- Anaerobes
- Veillonella, Fustobacterium, Prevotella,
Prophyromonas
- Veillonella, Fustobacterium, Prevotella,
- Candida spp. (yeast)
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Pseudomonas
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Pseudomonas
- Hospital-acquired (nosomical) pneumonia
- Folliculitis
- Eye infection (application of mascara, etc.)
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Fusobacterium nucleatum
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Fusobacterium nucleatum
- Assoc. with infections of the mouth (human bites, lung abscesses, pleural
cavity, brain abscess)
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Haemophilus influenzae
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Haemophilus influenzae
- Meningitis (esp. in young children)
- Pneumonia
- Epiglottitis
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Moraxella catarrhalis
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Moraxella catarrhalis
- Ear and sinus infection in children
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Nocardia spp.
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Nocardia spp.
- Tissue necrosis (lung, bone, etc.), Brain abscesses
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Streptococcus pneumoniae (GP)
Obj. 24: Identify the most following pathogens when observed in direct smears of Gram stained sputum
Streptococcus pneumoniae (decolorized)
Obj. 25: Correlate the image with likely clinical scenario(s)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Community acquired pneumonia
Obj. 7: Define pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis media, epiglottitis, pertussis, and bronchitis
Pharyngitis: inflammation of pharynx, “sore throat”
Sinusitis: inflammation of sinus
Otitis media: middle ear infections
Epiglottitis: inflammation of the epiglottis
Pertussis: “whopping cough” caused by Bordetella pertussis
Bronchitis: inflammation of the bronchi