Final answer:
The standard culture medium used for bacterial sensitivity testing is Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA), employed in the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test due to its capacity to support proper antibiotic diffusion.
The correct answer is D. Mueller-Hinton.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mueller-Hinton agar is a standard culture medium commonly used for bacterial sensitivity testing, particularly for the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method). This medium has specific properties that make it suitable for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. It has a uniform depth and consistency, allowing for even diffusion of antimicrobial agents in the agar.
The other options mentioned:
A. MacConkey agar is a selective and differential medium used for the isolation of Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Enterobacteriaceae.
B. Hektoen enteric agar is also a selective and differential medium used for the isolation and differentiation of enteric bacteria, particularly Salmonella and Shigella species.
C. Sabouraud dextrose agar is primarily used for the isolation and cultivation of fungi.
These media serve specific purposes in microbiological testing but are not the standard medium for bacterial sensitivity testing.