Mhmc Eve/Nite Shift Microbiology Competency

1. You are working on the evening or nite shift and the Bactec 9120 instrument in microbiology begins to sound an alarm. What do you do first?

Ignore the alarm, you are busy doing a routine specimen in the main lab.

Take a quick break and then head to the Microbiology lab to start dealing with the alarming instrument.

Call the microbiology supervisor, you have no idea how to shut that thing up.

The correct answer is to quickly acknowledge the alarm on the Bactec instrument by pressing the flashing red bar at the bottom of the computer screen for the Bactec and then go to the instrument itself and remove the positive Bactec bottle for gram stain and plating. This is the appropriate response because the alarm indicates a potential issue with the instrument, and it is important to address it promptly. Acknowledging the alarm on the computer screen ensures that the issue is recorded, and removing the positive Bactec bottle allows for further testing and analysis to determine the cause of the alarm.

Explanation

The correct answer is to quickly acknowledge the alarm on the Bactec instrument by pressing the flashing red bar at the bottom of the computer screen for the Bactec and then go to the instrument itself and remove the positive Bactec bottle for gram stain and plating. This is the appropriate response because the alarm indicates a potential issue with the instrument, and it is important to address it promptly. Acknowledging the alarm on the computer screen ensures that the issue is recorded, and removing the positive Bactec bottle allows for further testing and analysis to determine the cause of the alarm.

2. It is 5:30pm and a nurse drops off a fresh stool in the basket in the main lab. You check the orders in meditech and you see that NO orders have yet been entered! You call the floor to ask them to enter an order for the specimen but you are told everyone is at dinner and the person answering the phone has no idea what the specimen was collected for? What do you do next?

Slam the phone down and decide you need a break too and head to dinner.

Leave the problem for the day shift microbiology techs/supervisor to figure out.

The nurse should note the collection time and date of the stool specimen and proceed to the microbiology lab. They should place the specimen in each of the vials used for most stool studies. After that, they should call the floor back in 30 minutes and ask to speak with the nurse taking care of the patient. The nurse should have her enter the appropriate orders for the specimen. This ensures that the specimen is properly processed and tested, despite the lack of orders entered by the floor.

Explanation

The nurse should note the collection time and date of the stool specimen and proceed to the microbiology lab. They should place the specimen in each of the vials used for most stool studies. After that, they should call the floor back in 30 minutes and ask to speak with the nurse taking care of the patient. The nurse should have her enter the appropriate orders for the specimen. This ensures that the specimen is properly processed and tested, despite the lack of orders entered by the floor.

3. Swabs that come to the lab ordered for Group B strep culture need to be put in ________
broth and incubated for 18-24 hours.

The correct answer is "LIM, lim" because these are the abbreviations for LIM broth, which is used for culturing Group B strep. The swabs need to be placed in LIM broth and incubated for 18-24 hours to allow for the growth and identification of the bacteria.

Explanation

The correct answer is "LIM, lim" because these are the abbreviations for LIM broth, which is used for culturing Group B strep. The swabs need to be placed in LIM broth and incubated for 18-24 hours to allow for the growth and identification of the bacteria.

Submit

4. Choose the answer that best describes this direct gram stain.

Gram positive rods

Gram positve coccobacilli

Gram variable rods

Gram positive cocci

Gram negative coccobacilli and pmn's (polymorphonuclear cells)

The organism in the above direct gram stain is Haemophilus influenza. It is typically seen in upper respiratory tract infections but can be associated with septicemia and meningitis. It is most accurately described as a gram negative coccobacilli.

Explanation

The organism in the above direct gram stain is Haemophilus influenza. It is typically seen in upper respiratory tract infections but can be associated with septicemia and meningitis. It is most accurately described as a gram negative coccobacilli.

5. How would you report the following gram stain result?

Gram positive cocci

Gram negative cocci in chains

Gram positive cocci in clusters

Purple round cells

Grapes

This is a direct smear from a culture of staph epidermidis. The gram stain is most accurately described as gram positive cocci in clusters; but gram positive cocci is also acceptable.

Explanation

This is a direct smear from a culture of staph epidermidis. The gram stain is most accurately described as gram positive cocci in clusters; but gram positive cocci is also acceptable.

6. Specimens that are collected in viral transport media can be processed for routine bacterial culture and sensitivity testing.

TRUE

FALSE

Specimens collected in viral transport media are specifically designed and optimized for the preservation and transportation of viruses. These media do not support the growth of bacteria, making it unsuitable for routine bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

Specimens collected in viral transport media are specifically designed and optimized for the preservation and transportation of viruses. These media do not support the growth of bacteria, making it unsuitable for routine bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. Therefore, the statement is false.

7. Specimens for the microbiology lab should be processed:

As soon as time permits

Whenever because they have the lowest priority when working as an evening/nite shift technologist

Only by the microbiology day shift technologists

None of the above

Specimens for the microbiology lab should be processed as soon as time permits to ensure accurate and timely results. Processing the specimens promptly helps to prevent any potential contamination or degradation of the samples, which could affect the microbiology culture results. It is essential to prioritize the processing of these specimens to maintain the quality and reliability of the laboratory's testing procedures.

Explanation

Specimens for the microbiology lab should be processed as soon as time permits to ensure accurate and timely results. Processing the specimens promptly helps to prevent any potential contamination or degradation of the samples, which could affect the microbiology culture results. It is essential to prioritize the processing of these specimens to maintain the quality and reliability of the laboratory's testing procedures.

8. A specimen collected from the Emergency Department for RSV, INFLUENZA A/B and RESPIRATORY VIRAL PROFILE needs to be sent down in three separate viral transport media containers.

FALSE

TRUE

ONLY ONE VIRAL TRANSPORT SPECIMEN CONTAINER IS NECESSARY FOR PROCESSING ALL THREE TEST REQUESTS. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE SPECIMEN NEEDS TO BE SAVED IN THE MICROBIOLOGY LAB SO THAT IT CAN BE SENT TO IU/CLARIAN FOR THE RESPIRATORY VIRAL PROFILE BY THE MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT ON THE FOLLOWING SHIFT.

Explanation

ONLY ONE VIRAL TRANSPORT SPECIMEN CONTAINER IS NECESSARY FOR PROCESSING ALL THREE TEST REQUESTS. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE SPECIMEN NEEDS TO BE SAVED IN THE MICROBIOLOGY LAB SO THAT IT CAN BE SENT TO IU/CLARIAN FOR THE RESPIRATORY VIRAL PROFILE BY THE MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT ON THE FOLLOWING SHIFT.

9. What plates/media do you set up for a positive blood culture bottle?

BAP,CHOC, and CDC(in anaerobic pouch with indicator and anaerobic sachet) and a Gram stain

Only do a gram stain

Gram stain and BAP and CHOC

BAP, CHOC AND MAC AND CDC (in anaerobic pouch with indicator and anaerobic sachet)

Gram stain and BAP only

When setting up a positive blood culture bottle, it is important to use specific plates/media to identify the microorganism causing the infection. The correct answer includes BAP (Blood Agar Plate), CHOC (Chocolate Agar Plate), and CDC (Columbia CNA Agar) in an anaerobic pouch with an indicator and anaerobic sachet. These plates/media provide suitable conditions for the growth of a wide range of bacteria and help in the identification of the microorganism. Additionally, performing a Gram stain is necessary to observe the morphology and arrangement of the bacteria in the sample.

Explanation

When setting up a positive blood culture bottle, it is important to use specific plates/media to identify the microorganism causing the infection. The correct answer includes BAP (Blood Agar Plate), CHOC (Chocolate Agar Plate), and CDC (Columbia CNA Agar) in an anaerobic pouch with an indicator and anaerobic sachet. These plates/media provide suitable conditions for the growth of a wide range of bacteria and help in the identification of the microorganism. Additionally, performing a Gram stain is necessary to observe the morphology and arrangement of the bacteria in the sample.