Antimicrobials: 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

Sample item

What mechanism is used by fluoroquinolone antibiotics?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase

Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication and transcription in susceptible bacteria.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibit viral protease

    Viral protease inhibition is used by certain antivirals.

  • B. Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase (correct)

    Correct: fluoroquinolones impair bacterial DNA topoisomerases.

  • C. Bind human ribosomes

    Human ribosome binding would create unacceptable host toxicity.

  • D. Block fungal ergosterol

    Ergosterol targeting is an antifungal mechanism.

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 B, Inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase. Fluoroquinolones inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, disrupting DNA replication and transcription in susceptible bacteria.

Why is "Inhibit viral protease" not the answer?

Viral protease inhibition is used by certain antivirals.

Why is "Bind human ribosomes" not the answer?

Human ribosome binding would create unacceptable host toxicity.

Why is "Block fungal ergosterol" not the answer?

Ergosterol targeting is an antifungal mechanism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: fluoroquinolones impair bacterial DNA topoisomerases.

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?

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.