Question

Explain the importance of microbiology and how it relates to the nursing profession (USLO

1) List the major groups of microorganisms and provide an example of each (USLO

2) Choose one historical advancement in microbiology (USLO

3) Describe methods used in microbiology such as microscopy and staining techniques (USLO 1.4)

Answer 1

Microbiology helps in the identification, isolation, diagnosis,and treatment of pathogenic microorganisms and also produces beneficial organisms such as Yeasts and some antibiotics.

Microbiology is very important in nursing profession. It helps nurses to understand how illness and disease occur. it also track the negative and positive outcomes of the microbes work. Learning about microbiology will help a nurse prevent transfer of germ from one patient to another, prevent germ transfer to oneself and even prevent germ transfer from inanimate objects.

1. The major groups of microorganisms are:-

• Bacteria- they are single celled disease causing microorganisms.Eg:- staphylococcus aureus
• Fungi- they are mostly multicellular disease causing microbes. Eg- ascomycota
• Protozoa- they mainly include organisms such as amoeba, plasmodium etc.
• Virus- these are disease causing microbes that reproduce only side. Eg- ebola virus

2. Historical advancement in microbiology

In 1910, Paul Ehrlich discovered the cure for the disease syphilis. In the field of medicine, this was the first specific chemotherapeutic agent for a disease caused by a bacterium.

3. Microscopy:- it is the technical field of using microscopes to view objects and areas of objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye. There are three well- known branches of microscopy- optical, electron and scanning probe microscopy. Antonie van leeuwenhoek is considered as father of microscopy.

Staining techniques:- these are used in microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image. Stains are classified as simple stain, special stains and differential stains.gram staining is used to differentiate bacterial species as gram positive and gram negative.Acid fast technique differentiates species of mycobacterium from other bacteria.