Chapter 15.3, Problem 3NP

NCLEX® PREX

3. When determining the clinical significance of cultures,

1. a. the number of microbes is significant.
2. b. the presence of a single colony of a true pathogen may indicate the presence of the disease if the culture comes from a site known to be sterile (i.e., cerebrospinal fluid).
3. c. the repeated isolation of a relatively pure culture of any microorganism can mean it is an agent of disease, although this is not always the case.
4. d. a range of tests may be needed to identify a pathogen.
5. e. all of the above are true.