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Example Questions
Example Question #42 : Drug Identification
Each of the following antibiotics works by inhibition of the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes except __________.
macrolides
clindamycin
streptogramin
tetracyclines
tetracyclines
Macrolides, streptogramins, and clindamycin all work by inhibition of the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes. Tetracyclines have a similar mechanism of action, but instead affect the 30S unit of bacterial ribosomes.
Example Question #2 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Polymyxin antibiotics target what part of the bacterial cellular anatomy?
Nucleic acids
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Ribosomes
Cell membrane
Polymyxin antibiotics function by interfering with phospholipid function in bacterial cell membranes. After binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane, polymyxins' hydrophobic tail causes damage to both the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria.
Example Question #3 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
What is the mechanism of action of amoxicillin?
Interference with the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Interference with the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Suppression of folate synthesis
Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by interfering with the formation of cross-links between peptidoglycan polymer chains.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Which of the following class of antibiotics is associated with ototoxicity and hearing loss?
Aminoglycosides
Quinolones
Beta-lactam antibiotics
Glycopeptides
Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentamicin have been associated with vestibular toxicity and hearing loss. Aminoglycosides remain in inner ear fluids longer than serum and can have a latent ototoxic effect, causing hearing loss even after the antibiotic has been discontinued. None of the other antibiotics listed are associated with ototoxicity.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Ciprofloxacin belongs to what class of antibiotic?
Fluoroquinolones
Macrolides
Tetracyclines
Beta lactams
Fluoroquinolones
Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Other antibiotics in this class include norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and nadifloxacin.
Example Question #131 : Pharmacology
What is rifampin's mechanism of action?
Disruption of cell membranes
Inhibition of RNA polymerase
Inhibition of DNA gyrase
Inhibition of the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Inhibition of RNA polymerase
Rifampin inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by inhibiting RNA polymerase. This prevents the transcription of proteins within the bacterial cell, leading to cell death.
Example Question #3 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
What is the most serious potential adverse effect of rifampin use?
Liver failure
Nephrotoxicity
Seizures
Gastric ulceration or bleeding
Liver failure
Hepatotoxicity and potential liver failure are the most serious potential adverse effects of rifampin use. Patients on this medication must establish baseline liver function tests and be monitored for liver damage. None of the other conditions listed are associated with rifampin use.
Example Question #2 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Aminoglycosides are primarily used for infections by what type of pathogen?
Gram positive bacteria only
Both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria
Yeast and fungi
Gram negative bacteria only
Gram negative bacteria only
Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat Gram negative bacteria. They have not been shown to be effective against Gram positive bacteria and are not antifungal. Recall the major difference between the Gram negative and positive bacteria are their cell wall composition; Gram negative have a small proportion of peptidoglycan and a high proportion of lipopolysaccharide, while Gram negative bacteria have a large proportion of peptidoglycan.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Which of the following is an example of an aminoglycoside antibiotic?
Azithromycin
Streptomycin
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Streptomycin
The only aminoglycoside antibiotic among those listed is streptomycin. Other examples of aminoglycosides include tobramycin and gentamicin. All aminoglycosides either end in -mycin or -micin. However, this suffix is not exclusive to aminoglycosides. It is also seen in the macrolides: erythromycin and azithromycin and both macrolides, and in lincosamides such as clindamycin.
Example Question #3 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin may cause which of the following serious side effects?
All of these
Liver failure
Irreversible peripheral neuropathy
Sudden tendon rupture
Seizures
All of these
Fluoroquinolones (the most commonly prescribed of which is ciprofloxacin) carry a risk of all of the following adverse effects: sudden tendon rupture or tendonitis, hepatotoxicity or liver failure, seizures, and permanent peripheral neuropathy. Other adverse effects include Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, Steven-Johnson's Syndrome, tremors, and psychosis. The majority of these adverse effects are seen in higher numbers in children and the elderly.
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