Reading and Reporting Gram Stained Direct Smears

Which of the following best describes yeast cells on a Gram stain as to size and staining characteristics?

About the same size as red blood cells/will stain blue

Which of these would be a reason for performing a direct Gram stain on a clinical specimen?

All of the above reasons

The presence of gram-negative intracellular diplococci in a genital specimen from a FEMALE is diagnostic of gonorrhea.

False

Two sputum specimens were submitted to the Microbiology laboratory for culture. A Gram stained smear was evaluated for each specimen prior to culturing. The fields that are shown in these images are representative of the 20 - 30 low power fields that were examined. Which one of the two results represents a sputum specimen that is acceptable for culturing?

Gram Stain A (no purple stuff)

This Gram stain was prepared from a lower respiratory tract specimen. The field that is shown is representative of 20-30 low power fields that were examined. How should this Gram stain be reported?

Many gram-positive cocci in pairs, many polymorphonuclear white blood cells (PMNs)

Gram-negative cocci that occur in pairs with their adjacent sides flattened, giving them a "coffee bean" appearance (as seen in the image), are typical of which of the following bacteria?

Neisseria species

Host cells (e.g., white blood cells, epithelial cells) will appear what color on a properly stained Gram stain?

Pink

Based on the picture, the chart is correct. (Chart: pink, 1, no, yes)

True

How should the organisms that are indicated by the arrows be reported?

intracellular gram negative diplococci

This microscopic field is representative of other fields that were observed on a Gram-stained smear. Which of the following describes the quality of the smear?

under-decolorized (picture is super dark)