Bacteriology: practice question

A Microbiology 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Bacteriology

Sample item

What is a common cause of meningitis in young adults?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis is a major bacterial cause of meningitis in adolescents and young adults and can also cause rapidly progressive meningococcemia.

Option by option

  • A. Candida albicans

    Candida is a yeast and not a common routine cause in healthy young adults.

  • B. Clostridium tetani

    C. tetani causes tetanus, not meningitis.

  • C. Neisseria meningitidis (correct)

    Correct: meningococcus is a key young-adult meningitis pathogen.

  • D. Giardia lamblia

    Giardia causes intestinal disease.

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 Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Neisseria meningitidis. Neisseria meningitidis is a major bacterial cause of meningitis in adolescents and young adults and can also cause rapidly progressive meningococcemia.

Why is "Candida albicans" not the answer?

Candida is a yeast and not a common routine cause in healthy young adults.

Why is "Clostridium tetani" not the answer?

C. tetani causes tetanus, not meningitis.

Why is "Giardia lamblia" not the answer?

Giardia causes intestinal disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: meningococcus is a key young-adult meningitis pathogen.

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 Bacteriology?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.