Bacilli are the term used for

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

The term 'Bacilli' specifically refers to bacteria that have a rod-like or cylindrical shape.
This classification is a fundamental concept in microbiology used for the preliminary identification of bacteria.
Examples of bacilli include common organisms like Escherichia coli (found in the gut) and pathogenic ones like Bacillus anthracis (causes anthrax).

Option A: Spherical bacteria are called Cocci, not Bacilli. The term 'coccus' comes from the Greek word for 'berry'.
Option B: Comma-shaped bacteria are known as Vibrio. This is a distinct morphological category.
Option D: Spiral-shaped bacteria are referred to as Spirilla (if rigid) or Spirochetes (if flexible).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of bacteria based on morphology (shape) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's understanding of bacterial morphology is crucial for interpreting laboratory reports. A preliminary report might state 'Gram-positive bacilli found,' which helps narrow down the potential cause of an infection before a full culture and sensitivity report is ready.
The shape of bacteria can influence the type of infection and the choice of antibiotics. For example, many bacilli are Gram-negative, which have a different cell wall structure than Gram-positive cocci, affecting antibiotic susceptibility.
What if? - If a lab report indicated 'Gram-positive cocci in clusters' instead of bacilli, a nurse and physician would immediately suspect a Staphylococcus infection rather than one caused by an organism like E. coli. This would guide the initial choice of antibiotic therapy towards drugs effective against staphylococci.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from microbiology.
Identify the key term in the question: 'Bacilli'.
Recall the basic classifications of bacteria based on their shape.
Match the term 'Bacilli' to its corresponding shape, which is 'rod-shaped'.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they represent different bacterial shapes (Cocci, Vibrio, Spirilla).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Microbiology Applied AnjuDhir 3e Part 1 p. 54-56

E6 Microbiology Essentials Sastry 4e Part 1 p. 35-37

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