Antimicrobials: fosfomycin: 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: fosfomycin

Sample item

A single 3 g oral sachet is advised for uncomplicated cystitis in a young woman. Which drug inhibits the MurA enzyme in the first step of peptidoglycan synthesis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Fosfomycin

Fosfomycin is a phosphoenolpyruvate analogue that inactivates MurA, blocking an early cytoplasmic step of cell wall synthesis. It reaches high urinary concentration and is given as a single dose for uncomplicated cystitis.

Option by option

  • A. Fosfomycin (correct)

    Correct. Fosfomycin inhibits MurA.

  • B. Cycloserine

    Cycloserine inhibits alanine racemase and ligase.

  • C. Bacitracin

    Bacitracin blocks recycling of the lipid carrier.

  • D. Vancomycin

    Vancomycin binds D-Ala-D-Ala at a later stage.

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.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Fosfomycin. Fosfomycin is a phosphoenolpyruvate analogue that inactivates MurA, blocking an early cytoplasmic step of cell wall synthesis.

Why is "Cycloserine" not the answer?

Cycloserine inhibits alanine racemase and ligase.

Why is "Bacitracin" not the answer?

Bacitracin blocks recycling of the lipid carrier.

Why is "Vancomycin" not the answer?

Vancomycin binds D-Ala-D-Ala at a later stage.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials: fosfomycin in Pharmacology. It reaches high urinary concentration and is given as a single dose for uncomplicated cystitis.

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: fosfomycin?

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.