Common Bacterial Infections: Practice Quizzes for Medical Microbiology

Question 1

What is the most common bacterial cause of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in sexually active women?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer

Proteus mirabilis

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 2

Which antibiotic is the primary treatment for Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, according to current guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Ceftriaxone

Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Answer

Clindamycin

Question 3

Gram-negative bacteria are typically characterized by:

Accepted Answer

An outer membrane

Answer

A thick peptidoglycan layer

Answer

Susceptibility to penicillin

Answer

Immobility

Question 4

The primary mode of transmission for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is:

Accepted Answer

Sexual contact

Answer

Respiratory droplets

Answer

Fecal-oral route

Answer

Blood transfusion

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of Gram-positive bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to penicillin

Answer

Thick peptidoglycan layer

Answer

Absence of an outer membrane

Answer

Lack of motility

Question 6

The most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia in adults is:

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Answer

Chlamydia pneumoniae

Question 7

Which of the following is a common site of infection for Staphylococcus aureus?

Accepted Answer

Skin and soft tissue

Answer

Respiratory tract

Answer

Urinary tract

Answer

Central nervous system

Question 8

Which of the following is a characteristic clinical manifestation of an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection?

Accepted Answer

Dysuria

Answer

Flank pain

Answer

Fever

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Question 9

Which of the following antibiotics is a first-line choice for treating Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin

Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Erythromycin

Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Question 10

Which diagnostic test is commonly used to identify the causative agent of a bacterial infection?

Accepted Answer

Culture and sensitivity

Answer

Rapid antigen test

Answer

Serology

Answer

Molecular diagnostic test

Question 11

Which of the following vaccines is used to prevent infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Accepted Answer

Both of the above

Answer

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Answer

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Question 12

What is the initial and essential step for a bacterial pathogen to establish a successful infection after landing on the host's epithelium?

Accepted Answer

Colonization

Answer

Invasion

Answer

Toxigenesis

Answer

Spread

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Formation of biofilms

Answer

Efflux pumps

Answer

Alteration of target site

Answer

Enzymatic degradation

Question 14

How do antibiotic resistance surveillance programs help track the rise and spread of resistant bacteria?

Accepted Answer

They identify patterns of resistance, guiding targeted interventions and antibiotic choices.

Answer

They create new antibiotics to fight resistant strains.

Answer

They teach healthcare workers about antibiotic stewardship.

Question 15

Which bacterial pathogen is most frequently responsible for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the community?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Streptococcus pyogenes

Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 16

In the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacteria primarily ascend from the:

Accepted Answer

Urethra

Answer

Bladder

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Prostate

Question 17

Coagulase, a virulence factor commonly attributed to Staphylococcus aureus, plays a role in:

Accepted Answer

Blood clotting

Answer

Hemolysis

Answer

Adhesion to host cells

Answer

Toxigenicity

Question 18

The Gram staining technique differentiates bacteria based on their:

Accepted Answer

Cell wall composition

Answer

Metabolic activity

Answer

Size and shape

Answer

Motility

Question 19

Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections caused by Escherichia coli, belongs to the class of:

Accepted Answer

Fluoroquinolones

Answer

Penicillins

Answer

Cephalosporins

Answer

Macrolides

Question 20

Meningitis, a serious infection, is typically caused by bacteria invading the:

Accepted Answer

Brain and spinal cord

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Bloodstream

Answer

Gastrointestinal tract

Question 21

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are often caused by bacteria that are:

Accepted Answer

Both of the above

Answer

More virulent

Answer

Resistant to antibiotics

Answer

Neither of the above

Question 22

The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Determine bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics

Answer

Identify bacterial species

Answer

Measure bacterial growth rate

Answer

Detect bacterial toxins