Online Access Free ABMM Practice Test

Microscopic examination of a Calcofluor white stained sputum sample from an immunocompromised patient with suspected invasive pulmonary infection reveals septate hyphae that branch dichotomously at acute (approximately 45°) angles. Conidial structures are observed, showing conidiophores arising from a specialized foot cell, terminating in a flask-shaped vesicle that bears phialides only on the upper two-thirds (uniseriate arrangement). Chains of small, round conidia are produced. This morphology is most characteristic of:

• A.Rhizopus arrhizus
• B.Aspergillus fumigatus
• C.Aspergillus flavus
• D.Fusarium solani

A patient with HIV infection and a very low CD4+ T-cell count develops a disseminated infection with a fungus that is commonly found in pigeon droppings. The MOST likely causative agent is:

• A.Cryptococcus neoformans
• B.Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• C.Cryptococcus gattii
• D.Candida glabrata

A clinical microbiology laboratory is evaluating a new multiplex PCR assay for the detection of respiratory viruses. To assess the assay's specificity, they test a panel of samples known to contain various bacterial pathogens. A positive result is obtained for rhinovirus in a sample containing only Streptococcus pneumoniae.
This indicates:

• A.Poor analytical sensitivity of the PCR assay for rhinovirus.
• B.Degradation of the rhinovirus target sequence during storage.
• C.A mixed infection in the original patient sample.
• D.Cross-reactivity of the PCR primers with Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA.

A patient with a history of intravenous drug use develops a fever and new heart murmur. Blood cultures are positive for Gram-positive cocci that are catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. The MOST likely complication of this infection is:

• A.Reactive arthritis
• B.Glomerulonephritis
• C.Embolic stroke
• D.Septic arthritis

A clinical microbiology laboratory is implementing a new quality control procedure for blood culture media.
To ensure the media supports the growth of a wide range of clinically significant organisms, they should include:

• A.Only control strains that are commonly found as contaminants.
• B.Only antibiotic-resistant control strains.
• C.Only Gram-positive and Gram-negative control strains.
• D.A diverse panel of fastidious and non-fastidious bacteria and yeasts.