Antimicrobials: surgical prophylaxis: 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: surgical prophylaxis

Sample item

For a clean-contaminated abdominal surgery in a patient without MRSA risk, when should the prophylactic cefazolin dose be given?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Within 60 minutes before incision

Prophylactic antibiotic should reach tissue levels at the time of incision, so it is given within 60 minutes before the cut, and generally not continued beyond 24 hours. Cefazolin is the usual agent for its staphylococcal and streptococcal cover.

Option by option

  • A. Within 60 minutes before incision (correct)

    Correct. Timing before incision ensures tissue levels.

  • B. Continued for a week after surgery

    Prolonged courses increase resistance without benefit.

  • C. One day before surgery

    Too early, so levels fall before incision.

  • D. Immediately after closure only

    Postoperative-only dosing is ineffective.

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 A, Within 60 minutes before incision. Prophylactic antibiotic should reach tissue levels at the time of incision, so it is given within 60 minutes before the cut, and generally not continued beyond 24 hours.

Why is "Continued for a week after surgery" not the answer?

Prolonged courses increase resistance without benefit.

Why is "One day before surgery" not the answer?

Too early, so levels fall before incision.

Why is "Immediately after closure only" not the answer?

Postoperative-only dosing is ineffective.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials: surgical prophylaxis in Pharmacology. Cefazolin is the usual agent for its staphylococcal and streptococcal cover.

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: surgical prophylaxis?

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.