Antimicrobials: respiratory fluoroquinolones: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Antimicrobials: respiratory fluoroquinolones

Sample item

Which pair of fluoroquinolones have enhanced activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and atypical organisms and are called respiratory quinolones?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin

Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin have improved pneumococcal and atypical cover compared with ciprofloxacin, which is weak against pneumococci. Because they are active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, their empirical use in pneumonia can delay tuberculosis diagnosis.

Option by option

  • A. Nalidixic acid and cinoxacin

    These are older quinolones without respiratory activity.

  • B. Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin (correct)

    Correct. These are the respiratory quinolones.

  • C. Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin

    Ciprofloxacin is weak against pneumococcus.

  • D. Norfloxacin and ofloxacin

    Norfloxacin has limited tissue levels.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Levofloxacin and moxifloxacin have improved pneumococcal and atypical cover compared with ciprofloxacin, which is weak against pneumococci.

Why is "Nalidixic acid and cinoxacin" not the answer?

These are older quinolones without respiratory activity.

Why is "Ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin" not the answer?

Ciprofloxacin is weak against pneumococcus.

Why is "Norfloxacin and ofloxacin" not the answer?

Norfloxacin has limited tissue levels.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials: respiratory fluoroquinolones in Pharmacology. Because they are active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, their empirical use in pneumonia can delay tuberculosis diagnosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Antimicrobials: respiratory fluoroquinolones?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.