Antiviral drugs: 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 · Antiviral drugs

Sample item

What is the target of acyclovir after viral activation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Viral DNA polymerase

Acyclovir is phosphorylated preferentially in herpes-infected cells and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase, terminating DNA-chain elongation.

Option by option

  • A. Viral DNA polymerase (correct)

    Correct: activated acyclovir inhibits herpes DNA polymerase.

  • B. Host ribosome

    Host ribosome is not the selective target.

  • C. HIV protease

    HIV protease has different inhibitors.

  • D. Neuraminidase

    Neuraminidase is targeted by oseltamivir.

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 A, Viral DNA polymerase. Acyclovir is phosphorylated preferentially in herpes-infected cells and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase, terminating DNA-chain elongation.

Why is "Host ribosome" not the answer?

Host ribosome is not the selective target.

Why is "HIV protease" not the answer?

HIV protease has different inhibitors.

Why is "Neuraminidase" not the answer?

Neuraminidase is targeted by oseltamivir.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antiviral drugs in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: activated acyclovir inhibits herpes DNA polymerase.

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 Antiviral drugs?

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.