Antimicrobial resistance: 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.

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Microbiology · Antimicrobial resistance

Sample item

What is an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Enzyme that hydrolyses expanded-spectrum beta-lactams

ESBL-producing bacteria hydrolyse many cephalosporins and related beta-lactams, complicating treatment and requiring susceptibility-guided therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Enzyme that hydrolyses expanded-spectrum beta-lactams (correct)

    Correct: ESBLs inactivate many beta-lactams.

  • B. Protein that blocks viral entry

    Viral entry is unrelated.

  • C. Pump removing antifungals only

    Efflux alone is not the ESBL mechanism.

  • D. Host antibody against penicillin

    Host antibodies do not define ESBL.

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 A, Enzyme that hydrolyses expanded-spectrum beta-lactams. ESBL-producing bacteria hydrolyse many cephalosporins and related beta-lactams, complicating treatment and requiring susceptibility-guided therapy.

Why is "Protein that blocks viral entry" not the answer?

Viral entry is unrelated.

Why is "Pump removing antifungals only" not the answer?

Efflux alone is not the ESBL mechanism.

Why is "Host antibody against penicillin" not the answer?

Host antibodies do not define ESBL.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobial resistance in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: ESBLs inactivate many beta-lactams.

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 Antimicrobial resistance?

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.