Bacteriostatic drugs suppress the growth and reproduction of bacteria rather than killing them directly.
Correct Answer
True
True. A bacteriostatic drug halts bacterial multiplication and relies on the immune system to clear the organisms, whereas a bactericidal drug kills them outright.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 2
Clavulanic acid is combined with amoxicillin to protect it from destruction by bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes.
Correct Answer
True
True. Many bacteria make beta-lactamase, which breaks the beta-lactam ring of penicillins. Beta-lactamase inhibitors such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam restore and broaden the activity of the penicillin they are paired with.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 3
Third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone have narrower gram-negative coverage than first-generation agents such as cefazolin.
Correct Answer
False
False. Moving from the first to the third generation, cephalosporins gain gram-negative coverage. Ceftriaxone is used for serious infections such as meningitis, while cefazolin is commonly used for skin infections and surgical prophylaxis.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 4
Oral vancomycin is effective for bloodstream infections because it is well absorbed from the gut.
Correct Answer
False
False. Oral vancomycin is poorly absorbed, so it stays in the intestine and is used to treat C. difficile colitis. Bloodstream infections require IV vancomycin.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 5
Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin kill bacteria by inhibiting the enzyme DNA gyrase.
Correct Answer
True
True. DNA gyrase winds and unwinds bacterial DNA during replication. Blocking it causes DNA strand breaks and bacterial death.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 6
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim works by blocking cross-linking of the bacterial cell wall.
Correct Answer
False
False. The two components block sequential steps in bacterial folic acid synthesis, which the organism needs to make DNA, RNA and proteins. Blocking cell wall cross-linking is the action of beta-lactams such as penicillins.
Category: Antibacterial Drugs
Question 7
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for viral upper respiratory infections such as the common cold.
Correct Answer
False
False. Antibiotics act only on bacteria. Using them for colds and other viral infections gives no benefit and promotes resistance and adverse effects such as C. difficile infection.
Category: Antibiotic Safety
Question 8
Tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity, so patients taking them should use sunscreen and protective clothing.
Correct Answer
True
True. Tetracyclines such as doxycycline make the skin more prone to sunburn, so patients are taught to limit sun exposure and protect their skin.
Category: Antibiotic Safety
Question 9
Ganciclovir can suppress the bone marrow, lowering white blood cell and platelet counts.
Correct Answer
True
True. Ganciclovir, an antiviral used for cytomegalovirus infections, carries a boxed warning for hematologic toxicity, so blood counts are monitored during therapy. It can also impair fertility and cause birth defects.
Category: Antiviral Drugs
Question 10
Acyclovir cures herpes simplex infections by eliminating the latent virus from nerve cells.
Correct Answer
False
False. There is no cure for herpes simplex. Acyclovir and related drugs block viral DNA synthesis, which shortens and lessens outbreaks and reduces transmission, but the virus remains latent.
Category: Antiviral Drugs
Question 11
Valacyclovir is a prodrug that the body converts to acyclovir.
Correct Answer
True
True. Valacyclovir is converted to acyclovir after absorption, which gives higher blood levels than oral acyclovir and allows less frequent dosing.
Category: Antiviral Drugs
Question 12
Amphotericin B binds to sterols in the fungal cell membrane, making the membrane leaky.
Correct Answer
True
True. Polyenes such as amphotericin B and nystatin bind ergosterol, forming pores that let cell contents leak out so the fungus dies.
Category: Antifungal Drugs
Question 13
Systemic azole antifungals such as fluconazole speed up the metabolism of many other drugs by inducing liver enzymes.
Correct Answer
False
False. Azoles inhibit CYP enzymes, including CYP3A4, so they slow the metabolism of other drugs and raise their levels. The medication list should be screened before a systemic azole is started.
Category: Antifungal Drugs
Question 14
Enfuvirtide is an HIV fusion inhibitor taken as an oral tablet.
Correct Answer
False
False. Enfuvirtide is given by subcutaneous injection, and injection-site reactions are common. Patients need teaching on sterile injection technique.
Category: HIV Antiretrovirals
Question 15
HIV infects and destroys CD4 T lymphocytes, also called helper T cells.
Correct Answer
True
True. HIV binds to and enters CD4 cells, which coordinate the immune response. As CD4 counts fall, the person becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
Category: HIV Antiretrovirals
Question 16
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are effective when used alone as single-drug therapy for HIV.
Correct Answer
False
False. HIV rapidly becomes resistant to any single drug. NRTIs are combined with drugs from other classes so that several steps of the viral life cycle are blocked at once.
Category: HIV Antiretrovirals
Question 17
A person with latent tuberculosis infection has symptoms of active disease and can spread TB to others.
Correct Answer
False
False. In latent TB the bacteria are dormant; the person has no symptoms and is not contagious. Latent infection can reactivate later, especially with immunosuppression.
Category: Tuberculosis Drugs
Question 18
Rifampin induces liver enzymes and can make hormonal contraceptives less effective.
Correct Answer
True
True. Rifampin strongly induces cytochrome P450 enzymes, speeding the breakdown of many drugs, including hormonal contraceptives, warfarin and some antiretrovirals. Patients using hormonal birth control are taught to use a nonhormonal backup method during therapy.
Category: Tuberculosis Drugs
False. Pyrazinamide raises uric acid levels and can trigger gout. It is also hepatotoxic, so both uric acid and liver function are monitored.
Category: Tuberculosis Drugs
Question 20
Isoniazid carries a boxed warning for severe and sometimes fatal hepatitis.
Correct Answer
True
True. Hepatitis can develop even after months of isoniazid therapy. Patients have liver function monitoring, avoid alcohol, and report jaundice, dark urine, nausea or abdominal pain.
Category: Tuberculosis Drugs