Infectious diseases: practice question

A General Medicine 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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General Medicine · Infectious diseases

Sample item

What is an important stewardship principle when prescribing antibiotics?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Use the narrowest effective agent for the shortest appropriate duration

Antibiotic stewardship reduces resistance and harm by selecting appropriate targeted therapy, reviewing need, and avoiding unnecessary prolonged exposure.

Option by option

  • A. Continue treatment indefinitely after recovery

    Indefinite therapy increases adverse effects and resistance.

  • B. Avoid obtaining cultures when infection is severe

    Cultures can guide treatment in severe infection.

  • C. Prescribe antibiotics for all viral colds

    Viral colds do not routinely need antibiotics.

  • D. Use the narrowest effective agent for the shortest appropriate duration (correct)

    Correct: targeted short courses reduce unnecessary selection pressure.

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 General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Use the narrowest effective agent for the shortest appropriate duration. Antibiotic stewardship reduces resistance and harm by selecting appropriate targeted therapy, reviewing need, and avoiding unnecessary prolonged exposure.

Why is "Continue treatment indefinitely after recovery" not the answer?

Indefinite therapy increases adverse effects and resistance.

Why is "Avoid obtaining cultures when infection is severe" not the answer?

Cultures can guide treatment in severe infection.

Why is "Prescribe antibiotics for all viral colds" not the answer?

Viral colds do not routinely need antibiotics.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases in General Medicine. The correct option holds because: Correct: targeted short courses reduce unnecessary selection pressure.

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 Infectious diseases?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine 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.