Download Free American Society of Microbiology ABMM Real Exam Questions Download [Q18-Q34]

NEW QUESTION 18
A patient with cystic fibrosis experiences a pulmonary exacerbation. Sputum culture grows a mucoid strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The mucoid phenotype is primarily due to the overproduction of:

NEW QUESTION 19
A diagnostic laboratory is validating a new multiplex PCR panel for respiratory pathogens. According to CLIA regulations, which of the following parameters must be established by the laboratory performing the validation for this qualitative nucleic acid amplification test?

NEW QUESTION 20
A microbiology laboratory receives a wound swab from a patient with a chronic, non-healing ulcer. Culture yields a Gram-positive, branching filamentous bacterium that is partially acid-fast. The MOST likely genus is:

NEW QUESTION 21
A clinical microbiology laboratory is performing quality control on antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The zone diameter for Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 tested against ciprofloxacin is consistently smaller than the acceptable range published by CLSI. The MOST likely cause of this discrepancy is:

NEW QUESTION 22
A patient with a history of solid organ transplantation develops diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Stool studies are negative for bacterial pathogens and C. difficile toxins. Colonoscopy reveals characteristic cytomegalic inclusion bodies in colonic biopsies. The MOST likely causative agent is:

NEW QUESTION 23
A patient with a history of travel to a tropical region presents with cyclical fevers and chills.Peripheral blood smear reveals the presence of merozoites and schizonts within erythrocytes. The absence of crescent-shaped gametocytes makes Plasmodium falciparum less likely. The MOST probable species is:

NEW QUESTION 24
A clinical microbiology laboratory encounters a Gram-negative bacillus isolated from a bloodstream infection. The isolate exhibits resistance to multiple antibiotics, including carbapenems. Further phenotypic testing reveals the production of a metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL). Which of the following antibiotic combinations might still retain activity against this isolate?

NEW QUESTION 25
A Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from a bloodstream infection shows the following susceptibility profile:
Meropenem (MIC = 8 µg/mL, R), Imipenem (MIC = 16 µg/mL, R), Ertapenem (MIC = 4 µg/mL, R), Ceftazidime/avibactam (MIC = 1 µg/mL, S), Aztreonam (MIC = 32 µg/mL, R). Which resistance mechanism is most strongly suggested by this pattern?

NEW QUESTION 26
A 55-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus develops a necrotizing fasciitis of his left lower extremity following a minor abrasion sustained while gardening. Initialcultures of the wound reveal a polymicrobial flora, including Gram-positive cocci in chains and Gram-negative bacilli. Over the next 48 hours, despite broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, the patient’s condition deteriorates, and new bullae with hemorrhagic fluid appear. Gram stain of this fluid now predominantly shows large, Gram-positive bacilli with subterminal spores. Which of the following virulence factors is MOST likely contributing to the rapid tissue destruction observed in this patient?

NEW QUESTION 27
A microbiology laboratory is processing a throat swab for the detection of Group A Streptococcus. Culture on sheep blood agar reveals beta-hemolytic colonies. Which of the following tests can be used to presumptively identify Streptococcus pyogenes?

NEW QUESTION 28
A public health investigation is underway following several cases of encephalitis in a specific geographic region during the summer months. Mosquitoes are abundant in the area. Serological testing of patient CSF samples reveals IgM antibodies against a flavivirus. The MOST likely causative agent is:

NEW QUESTION 29
A clinical microbiology laboratory is using Sanger sequencing to identify mutations associated with antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This method directly determines the:

NEW QUESTION 30
A neonate develops a vesicular rash, fever, and seizures within the first week of life. CSF analysis reveals lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein. PCR of the CSF is positive for a double-stranded DNA virus.
The MOST likely causative agent is:

NEW QUESTION 31
A researcher is investigating the mechanism of action of a novel antibacterial agent that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis. The agent binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and prevents the translocation of peptidyl- tRNA. This mechanism of action is similar to which of the following antibiotics?

NEW QUESTION 32
A clinical microbiology laboratory is investigating a cluster of bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. To differentiate between community-associated (CA-MRSA) and healthcare- associated (HA-MRSA) strains, they may look for the presence of:

NEW QUESTION 33
Which biosafety level (BSL) is required for clinical laboratory work involving the propagation (culture) of Coccidioides immitis/posadasii?

NEW QUESTION 34
A child presents with a characteristic “slapped cheek” rash followed by a lacy, reticular rash on the trunk and extremities. The causative agent is a single-stranded DNA virus belonging to the family Parvoviridae, known as: