INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

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How much specimen of purulent exudate is adequate to culture?

  1. 1mL

  2. 2mL

  3. 3mL

  4. 5mL

The correct answer is: 2mL

Purulent exudate is a collection of pus, which contains various types of bacteria. When culturing for bacteria, an adequate amount of specimen is necessary to ensure a higher chance of detecting the bacteria present. While options A, C, and D may also seem like reasonable amounts, multiple studies have shown that a minimum of 2mL is necessary to obtain reliable results. Without enough specimen, the chances of detecting bacteria may be reduced, leading to a false negative result. Therefore, 2mL is the recommended and most accurate amount for culturing purulent exudate.