Lab 16: Final Unknowns Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering clinical unknown specimen processing, direct smear protocols, culture inoculation orders, and specimen preparation based on Lab 16 notes.

Normal Flora (Commensals)

Indigenous microorganisms inhabiting non-sterile body sites (such as the respiratory tract, urethra, or gastrointestinal tract) whose presence is noted but which are not identified unless abnormal to that site.

Direct Smear

Initial examination protocol for clinical specimens, prepared and stained by Gram's Method to evaluate polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), red blood cells, and bacteria to guide media selection (omitted for throat swabs and stools).

Normally Sterile Body Sites

Body locations such as CSF, urine, and joint fluids where any isolated organism requires isolation and full identification.

Haemophilus influenzae

A fastidious organism causing acute bacterial meningitis whose specific growth requirements must be considered when selecting culture media for CSF.

Wound Swab Inoculation Sequence

The ordered primary culture media sequence inoculated with a wound swab: BAP, BAP*, and MAC (in this order).

CSF Inoculation Sequence

The ordered primary culture media sequence inoculated with CSF using a sterile Pasteur pipette: BAPss, CAP, and MAC (in this order).

Urine Inoculation Sequence

The primary culture media sequence inoculated for urine specimens: BAP, followed by MAC (in this order).

CSF Centrifugation Parameters

The centrifugation procedure specified at $3000\,\text{rpm}$ for $15\,\text{minutes}$ to separate CSF fluid for direct smears and primary culture.

CSF Sediment

The deposit remaining after centrifugation of a CSF specimen, retained along with a few drops of fluid for direct smear preparation and culture.

CSF Supernatant

The fluid portion removed after CSF centrifugation, normally retained for chemical studies or discarded into crocks in this lab exercise.

Patient Name and Lab Accession Number Protocol

The required reporting designation where the student's name is entered as the patient name and the student's bench number is used as the lab accession number.

Polymorphonuclear Cells (PMNs)

Inflammatory cells observed, quantified, and reported during direct smear microscopic examinations.