Question

Upon review of a client's microbiology culture results, the nurse recognizes which organism as indicative of normal flora?

A.) Escherichia coli in the intestinal tract
B.) Shigella in the intestinal tract
C.) Shigella in the urinary tract
D.) Escherichia coli in the urinary tract

Answer 1

Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the intestinal tract is indicative of normal flora because it is a common and typically nonpathogenic resident of the colon, aiding in functions like vitamin K absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

The organism indicative of normal flora in the client's microbiology culture results is Escherichia coli in the intestinal tract. The gram-negative rod Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a common member of the normal microbiota of the colon. Though most strains of E. coli are harmless and even beneficial for vitamin K absorption and other functions, some strains can become pathogenic if they acquire additional virulence factors. However, their presence in the intestinal tract is expected and considered normal. In contrast, Shigella is a pathogen not normally found in the intestinal or urinary tract, and E. coli would not be considered normal flora in the urinary tract either since its presence there can lead to urinary tract infections.