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 macrolide antibiotics?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis

Macrolides bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis, making them useful for susceptible respiratory and atypical pathogens.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibit folate only

    Folate synthesis is targeted by sulfonamides and trimethoprim.

  • B. Disrupt fungal ergosterol

    Ergosterol disruption is an antifungal mechanism.

  • C. Block cell-wall cross-linking

    Cell-wall cross-linking is inhibited by beta-lactams.

  • D. Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis (correct)

    Correct: macrolides inhibit protein synthesis at bacterial 50S ribosomes.

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 D, Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Macrolides bind the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibit protein synthesis, making them useful for susceptible respiratory and atypical pathogens.

Why is "Inhibit folate only" not the answer?

Folate synthesis is targeted by sulfonamides and trimethoprim.

Why is "Disrupt fungal ergosterol" not the answer?

Ergosterol disruption is an antifungal mechanism.

Why is "Block cell-wall cross-linking" not the answer?

Cell-wall cross-linking is inhibited by beta-lactams.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: macrolides inhibit protein synthesis at bacterial 50S ribosomes.

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.