1. A hospital client was swabbed on admission for antibiotic-resistant organisms and has
just been informed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is
present in his groin. The client has a normal core temperature and white blood cell
count. This client is experiencing:
A) Infection
B) Proliferation
C) Colonization
D) Inflammation
Ans: C
Feedback:
Colonization describes the act of establishing a presence, a step required in the
multifaceted process of infection; infection describes the presence and multiplication
within a host of another living organism. However, this client displays no signs of
infection, inflammation, or proliferation of the microorganism.
2. Which most accurately describes the characteristics of saprophytes? They:
A) Derive energy from decaying organic matter
B) Are beneficial components of human microflora
C) Have RNA or DNA, but never both
D) Are capable of spore production
Ans: A
Feedback:
Saprophytes are free-living organisms obtaining their growth from dead or decaying
organic material in the environment. They are not necessarily spore producing, and they
are not typical components of human microflora. Because most are bacterial or fungal,
they contain both RNA and DNA.
3. Which of the following are accurate characteristics of prions? Select all that apply.
A) Disease usually progresses slowly.
B) The primary manifestation includes ataxia and dementia.
C) Prions are protease sensitive.
D) Prions tend to aggregate into amyloid-like plaques in the brain.
E) Prions lack reproductive functions so are not very harmful to humans.
Ans: A, B, D
Page 1
, Feedback:
The various prion-associated diseases produce very similar pathologic processes and
symptoms in the hosts and are collectively called transmissible neurodegenerative
diseases. All are characterized by a slowly progressive, noninflammatory neuronal
degeneration, leading to loss of coordination (ataxia), dementia, and death over a period
ranging from months to years. Prion proteins in disease (called PrPSC) are resistant to the
action of proteases (enzymes that degrade excess or deformed proteins). It is believed
that PrPSC binds to the normal PrPC on the cell surface, causing it to be processed into
PrPSC, which is released from the cell and then aggregates into amyloid-like plaques in
the brain.
4. Although both eukaryotes and prokaryotes are capable of causing infectious diseases in
humans, eukaryotes are unique because they have a/an:
A) Organized nucleus
B) Circular plasmid DNA
C) Cytoplasmic membrane
D) Variation of shape and
size Ans: A
Feedback:
Eukaryotic cells have an organized nucleus. Many prokaryotes contain extra
chromosomal pieces of circular DNA (plasmids). Prokaryotic cells have a flexible lipid
cytoplasmic membrane. Both types of cells vary in shape and size.
5. Some viruses have the ability to transform host cells into cancer cells. For which of the
following viruses should the client be assessed regularly for the potential development
of cancer? Select all that apply.
A) Hepatitis A
B) Hepatitis B
C) Human papillomavirus
D) Varicella
Ans: B, C
Feedback:
Certain viruses have the ability to transform normal host cells into malignant cells
during the replication cycle. This group of viruses is referred to as oncogenic and
includes certain retroviruses and DNA viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis
B virus, and human papillomavirus.
Page 2
just been informed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is
present in his groin. The client has a normal core temperature and white blood cell
count. This client is experiencing:
A) Infection
B) Proliferation
C) Colonization
D) Inflammation
Ans: C
Feedback:
Colonization describes the act of establishing a presence, a step required in the
multifaceted process of infection; infection describes the presence and multiplication
within a host of another living organism. However, this client displays no signs of
infection, inflammation, or proliferation of the microorganism.
2. Which most accurately describes the characteristics of saprophytes? They:
A) Derive energy from decaying organic matter
B) Are beneficial components of human microflora
C) Have RNA or DNA, but never both
D) Are capable of spore production
Ans: A
Feedback:
Saprophytes are free-living organisms obtaining their growth from dead or decaying
organic material in the environment. They are not necessarily spore producing, and they
are not typical components of human microflora. Because most are bacterial or fungal,
they contain both RNA and DNA.
3. Which of the following are accurate characteristics of prions? Select all that apply.
A) Disease usually progresses slowly.
B) The primary manifestation includes ataxia and dementia.
C) Prions are protease sensitive.
D) Prions tend to aggregate into amyloid-like plaques in the brain.
E) Prions lack reproductive functions so are not very harmful to humans.
Ans: A, B, D
Page 1
, Feedback:
The various prion-associated diseases produce very similar pathologic processes and
symptoms in the hosts and are collectively called transmissible neurodegenerative
diseases. All are characterized by a slowly progressive, noninflammatory neuronal
degeneration, leading to loss of coordination (ataxia), dementia, and death over a period
ranging from months to years. Prion proteins in disease (called PrPSC) are resistant to the
action of proteases (enzymes that degrade excess or deformed proteins). It is believed
that PrPSC binds to the normal PrPC on the cell surface, causing it to be processed into
PrPSC, which is released from the cell and then aggregates into amyloid-like plaques in
the brain.
4. Although both eukaryotes and prokaryotes are capable of causing infectious diseases in
humans, eukaryotes are unique because they have a/an:
A) Organized nucleus
B) Circular plasmid DNA
C) Cytoplasmic membrane
D) Variation of shape and
size Ans: A
Feedback:
Eukaryotic cells have an organized nucleus. Many prokaryotes contain extra
chromosomal pieces of circular DNA (plasmids). Prokaryotic cells have a flexible lipid
cytoplasmic membrane. Both types of cells vary in shape and size.
5. Some viruses have the ability to transform host cells into cancer cells. For which of the
following viruses should the client be assessed regularly for the potential development
of cancer? Select all that apply.
A) Hepatitis A
B) Hepatitis B
C) Human papillomavirus
D) Varicella
Ans: B, C
Feedback:
Certain viruses have the ability to transform normal host cells into malignant cells
during the replication cycle. This group of viruses is referred to as oncogenic and
includes certain retroviruses and DNA viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis
B virus, and human papillomavirus.
Page 2
