Multiple Choice Questions Section

Saudi
Medical Journal introduces this new section on multiple choice questions as part of its commitment
to continuous education and learning. Board residents are encouraged to read this section to improve their
knowledge and direct their reading for written examinations.

All questions are supplied by and published with permission from the
Examination Department, Saudi Commission For Health Specialties
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Choose the most appropriate single answer.

1. What is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen?

(A) Superoxide dismutase

(B) Peroxidase
(C) Hydrogenase
(D) Catalase

2. Which of the following bacteria are MOST likely to be considered Gram-variable?

(A) Staphylococci
(B) Escherichia coli
(C) Streptococci
(D) Gardnerella vaginalis

3. MacConkey agar, a selective and differential medium, is used routinely in the clinical laboratory for
the isolation of:

(A) Gram-positive cocci

(B) Gram-negative cocci
(C) Gram-positive bacilli
(D) Gram-negative bacilli

4. What is the typical incubation time needed for colonies of MOST aerobic and facultative anaerobic
bacteria to appear on agar plates?

(A) 24 hours
(B) 48 hours
(C) 72 hours
(D) 96 hours

5. What is the MOST common source of errors during the Gram stain procedure?

(A) Applying hematoxylin longer than 1 minute

(B) Over-decolorizing with alcohol
(C) Using heat-fixed specimen slides
(D) Applying safranin after decolorizing with alcohol

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Answers on page 1217

www.smj.org.sa Saudi Med J 2013; Vol. 34 (11) 1201

 Multiple choice questions

ANSWERS:

1. Answer: D
Specialty Domain: Diagnosis
Section: Growth Media, Staining Techniques, and Presumptive Identification
Type: Recall Knowledge
Reference: Engelkirk PG, Engelkirk JD. Burtons Microbiology for Health Sciences. 9th
ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. p. 126.

2. Answer: D
Specialty Domain: Diagnosis
Section: Growth Media, Staining Techniques, and Presumptive Identification
Type: Recall Knowledge
Reference: Greenwood D, Slack R, Peutherer J, Barer M, editors. Medical Microbiology.
In: A Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis, Immunity, Laboratory
Diagnosis and Control. 17th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Churchill Livingstone;
2007. p. 316.

3. Answer: D
Specialty Domain: Diagnosis
Section: Growth Media, Staining Techniques, and Presumptive Identification
Type: Recall Knowledge
Reference: Engelkirk PG, Engelkirk JD. Burtons Microbiology for Health Sciences. 9th
ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. p. 126.

4. Answer: A
Specialty Domain: Diagnosis
Section: Growth Media, Staining Techniques, and Presumptive Identification
Type: Recall Knowledge
Reference: Engelkirk PG, Engelkirk JD. Burtons Microbiology for Health Sciences. 9th
ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. p. 126.

5. Answer: B
Specialty Domain: Diagnosis
Section: Growth Media, Staining Techniques, and Presumptive Identification
Type: Recall Knowledge
Reference: Greenwood D, Slack R, Peutherer J, Barer M, editors. Medical Microbiology.
In: A Guide to Microbial Infections: Pathogenesis, Immunity, Laboratory
Diagnosis and Control. 17th ed. Philadelphia (PA): Churchill Livingstone;
2007. p. 14.
Engelkirk PG, Engelkirk JD. Burtons Microbiology for Health Sciences. 9th
ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. p. 56-57.

www.smj.org.sa Saudi Med J 2013; Vol. 34 (11) 1217