Why is KOH added to wet prep samples in regards to microscopy?

Based upon the patient’s history, what is the most likely cause of the superinfection?

A woman who is 38 weeks pregnant is admitted for a scheduled cesarean section. You perform an assessment of the patient and prepares her for the surgery. Prior to the procedure, an indwelling urinary catheter is placed.

The hospital infectious disease team is involved with the study of a healthcare-associated infection that has spread to 10% of inpatients. The infected patients are exhibiting symptoms of severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. As a RN on the infectious disease team, you provide education to staff regarding the pattern of bacterial growth and methods of infection control.

The patient’s urine culture was collected using a clean-catch method. After inoculation and incubation, several organisms were identified in amounts that were reported as normal microbial flora. Which of the following statements by the student nurse indicates proper understanding of the findings?

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that can cause meningitis. What component of the pathogen is likely contributing to the high fever? 

An RN in a long-term care facility oversees the care of 15 patients. He observes precautions to control and prevent the spread of infection.

You instruct the family that the transfer of genetic material can involve contact between two bacterial cells. DNA can pass from one cell to the other through a pilus during which type of horizontal gene transfer?

The mother stated that her daughter felt fine yesterday and went to school. What type of carrier did her daughter have the potential to be yesterday at school? 

A 20-year-old female college student is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency department. The patient lives in a dormitory at her university and her roommate brought her to the hospital because “she is not acting like herself.” The patient was previously healthy to the roommate’s knowledge, involved in campus activities, and an excellent student. The RN collects the patient’s history of present illness from her roommate. About two weeks prior, the patient began feeling ill. She had nasal congestion and was diagnosed with a sinus infection at the student health clinic. However, the patient reportedly decided against taking the prescribed antibiotics because she did not believe they were necessary. She developed high fevers and one day ago began complaining of a stiff neck. That morning, she was more lethargic, making nonsensical statements, and had a fever of 105°F. Her roommate was frightened by her change in behavior and drove her to the hospital.