Mock MCQs

Question 1

What antibiotic is used in a man with pneumonia and an amoxicillin allergy?

Answer 1

Levofloxacin

Question 2

Which of the following is a characteristic of staph aureus?

• common cause of UTI
• gram negative
• grows in chains
• production of coagulase
• usually sensitive to amoxicillin

Answer 2

Production of coagulase

Question 3

Which of the following is a live vaccine?

• diptheria
• HPV
• mumps
• pneumococcal
• tetanus

Answer 3

Mumps (part of the MMR live vaccine)

Question 4

What is the most common route of HIV transmission globally?

Answer 4

Heterosexual sex

Question 5

What is the mechanism of aciclovir?

Answer 5

Inhibition of DNA polymerase

Question 6

What are the components of the CURB-65 score?

Answer 6

C - confusion present?
U - urea levels over 7mmol/l
R - respiratory rate over 30 breaths per min
B - systolic < 90mmHg or diastolic <60mmHg
65 - being 65 years old or over

Question 7

What is the most likely cause of a shallow painless ulcer on the penile shaft, with no associated lymphadenopathy?

Answer 7

Treponema pallidum

Question 8

Describe the SEPSIS 6.

Answer 8

Oxygen
Blood cultures
Antibiotics 
IV fluid 
FBC and lactate
Monitor urine output

Question 9

Which organisms are most commonly associated with intra-abdominal sepsis?

Answer 9

Gram negatives

Anaerobes

Question 10

Describe the LPS virulence factor

Answer 10

Lipopolysaccharides are a membrane constituent with lipid and sugar components
This activates immune cells via TLR-4 leading to inflammatory cascade

Question 11

What empirical antibiotics and route would you prescribe for the diagnosis of intra-abdominal sepsis?

Answer 11

Amoxicillin, gentamicin and metronidazole

Question 12

Name two common causative organism of skin and soft tissue infection (numerous white blood cells and gram-positive cocci).

Answer 12

Staph aureus

Strep pyogenes

Question 13

Which empirical antibiotic and route would you prescribe for a patient with a serious beta-lactam allergy with a mild skin/soft tissue infection who is systemically well?

Answer 13

Clarithromycin or doxycycline

- oral

Question 14

Describe the mechanism of action of the beta-lactam group of antibiotics.

Answer 14

Bind to and inhibit action of penicillin binding proteins (enzymes) involved in cell wall biosynthesis

Question 15

Name the class of enzyme that confers resistance to the majority of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Answer 15

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase

Question 16

What empirical antibiotics would you prescribe to someone with a severe, rapidly progressing wound infection?

Answer 16

Flucloxacillin, benzylpenicillin, clindamycin, gentamicin and metronidazole
- IV