Identifying Bacteria - NCLEX-PN

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Question

Which agar would be the best choice option to identify_Escherichia coli_?

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Answer

The question requires the knowledge that Escherichia coli is a facultative, Gram negative, lactose fermenting bacteria. EMB (eosin methylene blue), or Mac (MacConkey) media is superior for isolating Escherichia coli because it is both selective and differential. Nutrient agar is neither selective nor differential. Selenium enriched media would not help identify this bacteria because Escherichia coli does not require this supplemented media to grow. Phenethyl alcohol can be used to select for anaerobic bacteria, which is of no utility in this situation.

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