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.

Try it

Pharmacology · Antimicrobials

Sample item

Which drug can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Metronidazole

Metronidazole inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so acetaldehyde builds up, causing flushing, vomiting and palpitations. Patients should avoid alcohol during treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Ciprofloxacin

    Ciprofloxacin has other issues (tendon injury, QT) but not this reaction.

  • B. Azithromycin

    Azithromycin does not inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase.

  • C. Metronidazole (correct)

    Correct.

  • D. Amoxicillin

    Amoxicillin does not interact this way.

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 C, Metronidazole. Metronidazole inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, so acetaldehyde builds up, causing flushing, vomiting and palpitations.

Why is "Ciprofloxacin" not the answer?

Ciprofloxacin has other issues (tendon injury, QT) but not this reaction.

Why is "Azithromycin" not the answer?

Azithromycin does not inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Why is "Amoxicillin" not the answer?

Amoxicillin does not interact this way.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials in Pharmacology. Patients should avoid alcohol during treatment.

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.