Dietetic Technician Practice Test

An individual experiences nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe cramping 6 hours after a salad bar buffet. Which microorganism is most likely responsible?

1. Clostridium botulinum

2. Staphylococcus aureus

3. E. coli 0157:H7

4. Campylobacter jejuni

The correct answer is: Staphylococcus aureus

The symptoms described—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe cramping—arising within a short timeframe of 6 hours after consuming food point towards a foodborne illness caused by a toxin rather than an infection from bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is notorious for producing an enterotoxin that can lead to rapid onset food poisoning. This particular organism is commonly associated with foods that are handled by people and then left unrefrigerated, making it a likely culprit in buffet settings, where food may be exposed to contamination through handling or prolonged standing at unsafe temperatures. The rapid onset of symptoms after the meal further supports this identification, as the enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus can cause symptoms to appear very quickly, typically within 1 to 6 hours following ingestion. Other microorganisms listed often require longer incubation periods or involve different symptom profiles, making them less likely in this scenario.