Antimicrobials: polymyxins: 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: polymyxins

Sample item

A patient with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infection is treated with colistin. Which two toxicities need monitoring?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity

Polymyxin B and colistin disrupt the bacterial outer membrane like cationic detergents and are nephrotoxic and neurotoxic, causing paraesthesias and neuromuscular blockade. They are reserved for multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections.

Option by option

  • A. Pulmonary fibrosis and hypothyroidism

    Pulmonary fibrosis and thyroid disease relate to amiodarone.

  • B. Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity (correct)

    Correct. Renal and neural toxicity are the main concerns.

  • C. Ototoxicity and hepatotoxicity only

    Hepatotoxicity is not a primary feature.

  • D. Tendon rupture and QT prolongation

    Tendon rupture relates to fluoroquinolones.

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, Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Polymyxin B and colistin disrupt the bacterial outer membrane like cationic detergents and are nephrotoxic and neurotoxic, causing paraesthesias and neuromuscular blockade.

Why is "Pulmonary fibrosis and hypothyroidism" not the answer?

Pulmonary fibrosis and thyroid disease relate to amiodarone.

Why is "Ototoxicity and hepatotoxicity only" not the answer?

Hepatotoxicity is not a primary feature.

Why is "Tendon rupture and QT prolongation" not the answer?

Tendon rupture relates to fluoroquinolones.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials: polymyxins in Pharmacology. They are reserved for multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections.

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: polymyxins?

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.