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 is the mechanism of vancomycin resistance in VRE?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Altered D-Ala-D-Ala target terminus

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci alter the cell-wall precursor terminus, commonly to D-Ala-D-Lac, reducing vancomycin binding affinity.

Option by option

  • A. Ribosomal methylation only

    Ribosomal methylation affects other drug classes.

  • B. Efflux of all antibiotics

    Universal efflux is not the VRE mechanism.

  • C. Beta-lactamase secretion

    Beta-lactamase affects beta-lactams.

  • D. Altered D-Ala-D-Ala target terminus (correct)

    Correct: altered precursor target prevents binding.

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 D, Altered D-Ala-D-Ala target terminus. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci alter the cell-wall precursor terminus, commonly to D-Ala-D-Lac, reducing vancomycin binding affinity.

Why is "Ribosomal methylation only" not the answer?

Ribosomal methylation affects other drug classes.

Why is "Efflux of all antibiotics" not the answer?

Universal efflux is not the VRE mechanism.

Why is "Beta-lactamase secretion" not the answer?

Beta-lactamase affects beta-lactams.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: altered precursor target prevents binding.

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.