Microbiology MCQs 2026

Microbiology case 41: a laboratory sample presenting with fever workup requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
3. C assess focus of infection and start empiric antibiotics if indicated ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Microbiology case 46: a hospital ward presenting with infection control requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B isolate if needed and follow standard precautions per protocol ✓
3. C discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Gram stain in medicine refers to

1. A protein toxin secreted by living bacteria ✓
2. B differential staining distinguishing Gram positive and negative bacteria ✓
3. C destruction of all microorganisms including spores ✓
4. D harmless microbes colonizing body without disease ✓

Acid-fast bacilli in medicine refers to

1. A ability of microbes to survive antimicrobial agents ✓
2. B reduction of pathogenic organisms on surfaces ✓
3. C infection when host defenses are compromised ✓
4. D mycobacteria retaining carbol fuchsin after acid-alcohol decolorization ✓

Endotoxin in medicine refers to

1. A destruction of all microorganisms including spores ✓
2. B harmless microbes colonizing body without disease ✓
3. C lipopolysaccharide from Gram negative cell wall causing shock ✓
4. D life-threatening dysregulated host response to infection ✓

Exotoxin in medicine refers to

1. A protein toxin secreted by living bacteria ✓
2. B reduction of pathogenic organisms on surfaces ✓
3. C infection when host defenses are compromised ✓
4. D differential staining distinguishing Gram positive and negative bacteria ✓

Antibiotic resistance in medicine refers to

1. A ability of microbes to survive antimicrobial agents ✓
2. B harmless microbes colonizing body without disease ✓
3. C life-threatening dysregulated host response to infection ✓
4. D mycobacteria retaining carbol fuchsin after acid-alcohol decolorization ✓

Sterilization in medicine refers to

1. A infection when host defenses are compromised ✓
2. B differential staining distinguishing Gram positive and negative bacteria ✓
3. C lipopolysaccharide from Gram negative cell wall causing shock ✓
4. D destruction of all microorganisms including spores ✓

Disinfection in medicine refers to

1. A life-threatening dysregulated host response to infection ✓
2. B reduction of pathogenic organisms on surfaces ✓
3. C mycobacteria retaining carbol fuchsin after acid-alcohol decolorization ✓
4. D protein toxin secreted by living bacteria ✓

Normal flora in medicine refers to

1. A differential staining distinguishing Gram positive and negative bacteria ✓
2. B harmless microbes colonizing body without disease ✓
3. C lipopolysaccharide from Gram negative cell wall causing shock ✓
4. D ability of microbes to survive antimicrobial agents ✓

Opportunistic infection in medicine refers to

1. A mycobacteria retaining carbol fuchsin after acid-alcohol decolorization ✓
2. B protein toxin secreted by living bacteria ✓
3. C infection when host defenses are compromised ✓
4. D destruction of all microorganisms including spores ✓

Sepsis in medicine refers to

1. A lipopolysaccharide from Gram negative cell wall causing shock ✓
2. B ability of microbes to survive antimicrobial agents ✓
3. C life-threatening dysregulated host response to infection ✓
4. D reduction of pathogenic organisms on surfaces ✓

Microbiology case 6: a outbreak investigation presenting with fever workup requires the clinician to

1. A assess focus of infection and start empiric antibiotics if indicated ✓
2. B delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
3. C discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Microbiology case 8: a laboratory sample presenting with drug reaction requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
3. C prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓
4. D stop suspected agent and document allergy in patient record ✓

Microbiology case 12: a outbreak investigation presenting with infection control requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
3. C prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓
4. D isolate if needed and follow standard precautions per protocol ✓

Microbiology case 16: a hospital ward presenting with drug reaction requires the clinician to

1. A stop suspected agent and document allergy in patient record ✓
2. B delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
3. C discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Microbiology case 22: a hospital ward presenting with fever workup requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
3. C assess focus of infection and start empiric antibiotics if indicated ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Microbiology case 27: a outbreak investigation presenting with drug reaction requires the clinician to

1. A stop suspected agent and document allergy in patient record ✓
2. B delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
3. C discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
4. D prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓

Microbiology case 29: a laboratory sample presenting with infection control requires the clinician to

1. A delay all investigations until next outpatient visit ✓
2. B discharge without vital sign monitoring ✓
3. C prescribe antibiotics without clinical indication ✓
4. D isolate if needed and follow standard precautions per protocol ✓