Microbiology Basics Quiz

Infection Transmission and Control

• The duration an aerosol remains in the air and how far it will travel is determined by factors such as air currents, temperature, and humidity.
• An aerosol can be a means of infection transmission when it contains microbes, allowing them to spread through the air and infect people.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Gloves are used in the healthcare setting to prevent skin contact with infectious materials and to reduce the risk of microbes being transferred to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• A plastic bib or apron is worn to prevent clothing from becoming contaminated.
• Overboots or shoe covers are used to protect regular shoes from becoming wet and contaminated during cleaning procedures.

Healthcare Infections (HAI)

• HAI stands for Healthcare-Associated Infections.
• Staff working in the healthcare environment should take precautions to protect themselves, including wearing PPE, practicing hand hygiene, and following Standard Precautions.

Masks and Eye Protection

• The aim of using a mask and eye protection is to prevent respiratory and mucous membrane transmission of infectious agents.

Infection Control

• The primary purpose of infection control is to prevent the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings.
• Standard Precautions include assuming that every patient is infected with an unidentified infectious agent and taking precautions to minimize the risk of infection.

Cleaning and Decontamination

• The main purpose of keeping reusable medical devices moist and treating them with a neutral detergent and cleaning enzymes is to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
• Reusable medical devices used on prion-infected patient tissues should not be used on other patients to prevent the transmission of prions.
• The primary aim of cleaning and decontaminating reusable medical devices is to remove or destroy microorganisms.
• Validated procedures and processes should be used to clean and decontaminate reusable medical devices to ensure effectiveness.

Microbiology

• New varieties of microorganisms are regularly discovered due to mutations and genetic exchange.
• Mutations can create new strains of microorganisms with increased virulence or antibiotic resistance.
• Microorganisms can be inhibited or killed by factors such as temperature, pH, humidity, and chemicals.
• Bacteria multiply under optimal growth conditions, which include adequate nutrients, temperature, pH, and moisture.
• It is important to clean reusable medical devices promptly after use to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
• Biofilms and spores are examples of structures that allow bacteria to survive and multiply.
• The main requirement for the growth and reproduction of all microorganisms is the presence of adequate nutrients, water, and optimal environmental conditions.
• The optimal range of conditions for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms includes temperatures between 20-40°C, pH between 6-8, and adequate moisture.

Test your knowledge of the fundamental concepts of microbiology, including the study of micro-organisms, pathogens, normal flora, and the size of microbes. Learn about the characteristics and importance of these microscopic organisms.