When Microbiologists Encounter a Sputum Specimen, They Know That the Upper

question 21

Multiple Choice

When microbiologists encounter a sputum specimen, they know that the upper respiratory tract contains many indigenous organisms and to identify every organism in the culture would be a time-consuming, cost-prohibitive, and insurmountable task.So microbiologists must:

• A)work quickly with commercially available kits to identify all organisms present in a sputum specimen for the best quality patient care available.
• B)work up only the gram-negative rods present in the culture.
• C)differentiate the potential pathogens from the "usual" inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract and direct the diagnostic workup only to potential pathogens.
• D)be able to ascertain whether the results generated by a commercial or automated system correlate with the suspected organism.

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Definitions:

Break-Even Point

The production level or sales volume at which total revenues equal total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss.

Margin of Safety

The difference between actual sales and the break-even point, indicating the level of risk in not covering fixed costs.

Composite Units

A measure used in costing to represent a bundle or mix of goods or services treated as a single unit.

Break-Even Point

The financial state in which total costs equal total revenues, resulting in neither profit nor loss.