TEXTBOOK OF DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY
7 2026 EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND MODEL
RESPONSES
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
2. Infectious disease
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and symptoms
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
3. Opportunistic infection
,a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
4. Nosocomial infection
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
,c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
5. Colonization
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
◉ 6. All the following sites contain normal flora except:
, a. Oral cavity
b. Skin
c. Colon
d. Cerebrospinal fluid. Answer: d. Cerebrospinal fluid
◉ 7. Which of the following is not classified as a direct route
of infection?
a. Ingestion of contaminated food or water
b. Sexual contact
c. Hand-to-hand contact
d. Congenital contact. Answer: a. Ingestion of contaminated food or
water
◉ 8. Droplet infection through contact with infectious
respiratory secretions may be described as:
a. Inhalation of infectious aerosols during laboratory
procedures
b. Transmission of rhinovirus through failing to wash
hands
c. Spread of respiratory viruses and Streptococcus
pyogenes through coughing or sneezing
d. Inhalation of bacteria or viruses that have dried on
7 2026 EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS AND MODEL
RESPONSES
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
2. Infectious disease
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and symptoms
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
3. Opportunistic infection
,a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
4. Nosocomial infection
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
,c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
◉ Match the following terms with the correct definition:
5. Colonization
a. Condition associated with functional and structural
harm to the host, accompanied by signs and
symptoms
b. Infection in an immunocompromised host that
does not cause infection in an immunocompetent
individual
c. Infection acquired in a health care setting
d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
e. Entrance and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host. Answer: d. Presence and multiplication of a microorganism in a
host with no clinical signs of infection
◉ 6. All the following sites contain normal flora except:
, a. Oral cavity
b. Skin
c. Colon
d. Cerebrospinal fluid. Answer: d. Cerebrospinal fluid
◉ 7. Which of the following is not classified as a direct route
of infection?
a. Ingestion of contaminated food or water
b. Sexual contact
c. Hand-to-hand contact
d. Congenital contact. Answer: a. Ingestion of contaminated food or
water
◉ 8. Droplet infection through contact with infectious
respiratory secretions may be described as:
a. Inhalation of infectious aerosols during laboratory
procedures
b. Transmission of rhinovirus through failing to wash
hands
c. Spread of respiratory viruses and Streptococcus
pyogenes through coughing or sneezing
d. Inhalation of bacteria or viruses that have dried on
