Types of inflammation MCQs With Answer

Understanding the types of inflammation is essential for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, pathology, and clinical pharmacy exams. This concise guide on Types of inflammation MCQs With Answer covers morphological, temporal and etiological classifications—acute, chronic, granulomatous, serous, fibrinous, suppurative and necrotizing patterns—along with cellular players, mediators (histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines), vascular changes, and systemic markers like CRP and ESR. Expect practical, case-based scenarios and key mnemonics to reinforce learning while linking mechanisms to drug targets and therapeutic strategies. Clear explanations support exam readiness and clinical application. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which classification of inflammation is primarily characterized by short duration and predominant neutrophil infiltration?

• Chronic inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation
• Acute inflammation
• Fibrosing inflammation

Correct Answer: Acute inflammation

Q2. Which pattern of inflammation is most associated with persistent macrophage activation and epithelioid cell aggregates?

• Serous inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation
• Fibrinous inflammation
• Suppurative inflammation

Correct Answer: Granulomatous inflammation

Q3. Which mediator is primarily responsible for vasodilation and increased vascular permeability in early acute inflammation?

• Interferon-gamma
• Histamine
• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)
• Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)

Correct Answer: Histamine

Q4. Which inflammatory exudate is rich in fibrin and typically seen in severe vascular injury?

• Serous exudate
• Fibrinous exudate
• Purulent exudate
• Transudate

Correct Answer: Fibrinous exudate

Q5. Which cell type predominates in chronic inflammatory infiltrates?

• Neutrophils
• Eosinophils
• Lymphocytes and macrophages
• Mast cells only

Correct Answer: Lymphocytes and macrophages

Q6. Which mediator pathway is inhibited by NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and pain?

• Leukotriene synthesis via 5-lipoxygenase
• Prostaglandin synthesis via cyclooxygenase (COX)
• Cytokine release from macrophages
• Complement activation

Correct Answer: Prostaglandin synthesis via cyclooxygenase (COX)

Q7. Which form of inflammation is characterized by pus formation and abundant neutrophils?

• Serous inflammation
• Suppurative (purulent) inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation
• Fibrinoid inflammation

Correct Answer: Suppurative (purulent) inflammation

Q8. Which acute phase protein is most commonly used as a clinical marker of inflammation?

• Albumin
• C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Hemoglobin
• Transferrin

Correct Answer: C-reactive protein (CRP)

Q9. What is the key histologic feature of granulomatous inflammation?

• Necrotic adipose tissue
• Central caseation or epithelioid cell aggregates with giant cells
• Fibrin deposition with neutrophils
• Diffuse edema without cells

Correct Answer: Central caseation or epithelioid cell aggregates with giant cells

Q10. Which chemokine/receptor pair is important for neutrophil recruitment to sites of acute inflammation?

• CCL2–CCR2
• CXCL8 (IL-8)–CXCR1/2
• CXCL13–CXCR5
• CCL19–CCR7

Correct Answer: CXCL8 (IL-8)–CXCR1/2

Q11. Which of the following is a systemic sign of acute inflammation mediated by cytokines like IL-1 and TNF?

• Local redness only
• Fever
• Hypertension
• Decreased body temperature

Correct Answer: Fever

Q12. Which complement component is mainly responsible for chemotaxis and neutrophil recruitment?

• C3b
• C5a
• C1q
• C9

Correct Answer: C5a

Q13. In leukocyte extravasation, which step involves selectin-mediated rolling?

• Transmigration (diapedesis)
• Adhesion strengthening by integrins
• Margination and rolling
• Phagosome-lysosome fusion

Correct Answer: Margination and rolling

Q14. Which mediator is a potent vasoconstrictor and can also modulate inflammation via nitric oxide pathways?

• Bradykinin
• Endothelin
• Histamine
• Prostaglandin I2

Correct Answer: Endothelin

Q15. Which type of inflammation is commonly associated with tissue remodeling, fibrosis and angiogenesis?

• Acute serous inflammation
• Chronic inflammation
• Acute hemorrhagic inflammation
• Acute suppurative inflammation

Correct Answer: Chronic inflammation

Q16. Which laboratory test measures the rate at which erythrocytes settle and is increased in inflammation?

• Serum creatinine
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Prothrombin time
• Blood glucose

Correct Answer: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Q17. Which lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid are primarily involved in bronchoconstriction and leukocyte chemotaxis?

• Prostacyclins
• Leukotrienes
• Resolvins
• Thromboxanes

Correct Answer: Leukotrienes

Q18. Which drug class is most effective at blocking early cytokine synthesis via inhibition of phospholipase A2 induction and gene transcription?

• NSAIDs
• Corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Correct Answer: Corticosteroids

Q19. What distinguishes exudate from transudate?

• Exudate is low in protein; transudate is high in protein
• Exudate is protein-rich and cellular; transudate is low-protein and due to hydrostatic/osmotic imbalance
• Transudate is associated with inflammation; exudate is not
• Exudate forms only in chronic inflammation

Correct Answer: Exudate is protein-rich and cellular; transudate is low-protein and due to hydrostatic/osmotic imbalance

Q20. Which signaling molecule produced by macrophages is central to granuloma formation by activating macrophages and T cells?

• Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
• Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
• Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
• Bradykinin

Correct Answer: Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)

Q21. Which morphological type of inflammation is typically seen in viral infections and allergic conditions with clear, protein-poor fluid accumulation?

• Serous inflammation
• Fibrinous inflammation
• Suppurative inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation

Correct Answer: Serous inflammation

Q22. What is the primary reactive oxygen species used by neutrophils for microbial killing in the respiratory burst?

• Hydrochloric acid
• Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide via NADPH oxidase
• Uric acid
• ATP

Correct Answer: Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide via NADPH oxidase

Q23. Which adhesion molecules on endothelium mediate firm leukocyte adhesion through interaction with leukocyte integrins?

• Selectins only
• ICAM-1 and VCAM-1
• Collagen and elastin
• Integrins exclusively

Correct Answer: ICAM-1 and VCAM-1

Q24. Chronic inflammation due to persistent infection or foreign body typically leads to which repair process?

• Complete regeneration without scar
• Fibrosis and scar formation
• Immediate resolution within hours
• No cellular response

Correct Answer: Fibrosis and scar formation

Q25. Which cytokine is a major mediator of fever and stimulates acute phase protein production by the liver?

• IL-4
• IL-1
• IL-17
• IL-2

Correct Answer: IL-1

Q26. Which type of inflammation frequently involves necrosis and is often caused by virulent organisms or ischemia?

• Granulomatous inflammation
• Fibrinous inflammation
• Necrotizing (ulcerative) inflammation
• Serous inflammation

Correct Answer: Necrotizing (ulcerative) inflammation

Q27. Which drug targets leukotriene receptors and is used in asthma to reduce inflammation?

• Ibuprofen
• Montelukast
• Prednisone
• Ceftriaxone

Correct Answer: Montelukast

Q28. Which cell surface receptor on macrophages recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and triggers inflammatory cytokine release?

• GPCR for chemokines only
• Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)
• Insulin receptor
• Acetylcholine receptor

Correct Answer: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)

Q29. Which mediator promotes vasodilation, pain sensitization, and fever and is inhibited by aspirin?

• Leukotriene B4
• Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
• Interleukin-10
• Complement C3a

Correct Answer: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)

Q30. In the transition from acute to chronic inflammation, which cell type replaces neutrophils after 48–72 hours?

• Erythrocytes
• Lymphocytes and macrophages
• Platelets
• Keratinocytes

Correct Answer: Lymphocytes and macrophages

Q31. Which vascular change causes heat and redness at the site of acute inflammation?

• Vasodilation increasing blood flow
• Thrombosis causing ischemia
• Vasoconstriction reducing blood flow
• Lymphatic collapse

Correct Answer: Vasodilation increasing blood flow

Q32. Which enzyme in neutrophils generates nitric oxide for microbial killing?

• Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
• Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)
• Lipoxygenase
• Adenylate cyclase

Correct Answer: Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)

Q33. Which statement best describes the role of macrophages in chronic inflammation?

• They are irrelevant to chronic inflammation
• They present antigen, secrete cytokines, and mediate tissue repair or destruction
• They only form pus
• They exclusively secrete histamine

Correct Answer: They present antigen, secrete cytokines, and mediate tissue repair or destruction

Q34. Which mediator directly increases microvascular permeability by contracting endothelial cells?

• IL-10
• Histamine
• Hemoglobin
• Albumin

Correct Answer: Histamine

Q35. Which type of inflammation is characterized by mucous gland hypersecretion and epithelial cell damage in respiratory tract infections?

• Catarrhal inflammation
• Fibrinous inflammation
• Necrotizing inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation

Correct Answer: Catarrhal inflammation

Q36. Which medication specifically blocks TNF-alpha and is used to treat chronic inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis?

• Adalimumab (anti-TNF biologic)
• Aspirin
• Loratadine
• Metformin

Correct Answer: Adalimumab (anti-TNF biologic)

Q37. Which process describes the movement of leukocytes through endothelium into tissue?

• Apoptosis
• Diapedesis (transmigration)
• Phagocytosis
• Osmosis

Correct Answer: Diapedesis (transmigration)

Q38. Which of the following increases ESR by altering red cell rouleaux formation?

• Hypoproteinemia
• Increased fibrinogen
• Decreased fibrinogen
• Low CRP levels

Correct Answer: Increased fibrinogen

Q39. Which mediator family includes lipoxins and resolvins that actively promote resolution of inflammation?

• Proinflammatory cytokines
• Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
• Complement fragments only
• Prostaglandins exclusively

Correct Answer: Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)

Q40. Which histologic feature indicates chronic inflammation with ongoing tissue injury and repair?

• Edema without cells
• Fibrosis with mononuclear cell infiltration
• Massive neutrophil influx only
• Pure hemorrhage without cells

Correct Answer: Fibrosis with mononuclear cell infiltration

Q41. In drug development for anti-inflammatory agents, which target would most directly inhibit prostaglandin formation?

• Inhibition of lipoxygenase
• Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)
• Blockade of TNF receptors
• Activation of neutrophils

Correct Answer: Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)

Q42. Which type of inflammation often forms a membrane composed of fibrin and necrotic debris on mucosal surfaces?

• Pseudomembranous inflammation
• Serous inflammation
• Granulomatous inflammation
• Non-inflammatory edema

Correct Answer: Pseudomembranous inflammation

Q43. Which interleukin is primarily associated with recruitment and activation of neutrophils in acute inflammation?

• IL-17 and IL-8 (CXCL8)
• IL-4 only
• IL-2 only
• IL-10 only

Correct Answer: IL-17 and IL-8 (CXCL8)

Q44. Which mechanism describes oxygen-independent microbial killing by neutrophils?

• Respiratory burst via NADPH oxidase
• Release of antimicrobial peptides and enzymes in phagolysosomes
• Nitric oxide production only
• Mitochondrial apoptosis

Correct Answer: Release of antimicrobial peptides and enzymes in phagolysosomes

Q45. Which feature is typical of chronic inflammation due to autoimmune disease?

• Short-lived neutrophil predominance
• Tissue destruction with lymphocytes, plasma cells, and autoantibody-mediated injury
• Purely vascular dilation without cells
• Immediate healing without fibrosis

Correct Answer: Tissue destruction with lymphocytes, plasma cells, and autoantibody-mediated injury

Q46. Which mediator increases leukocyte adhesion to endothelium by upregulating ICAM and VCAM expression?

• IL-10
• TNF-α and IL-1
• Prostacyclin
• Insulin

Correct Answer: TNF-α and IL-1

Q47. Which pattern of inflammation results from immune complex deposition in vessel walls leading to complement activation?

• Type I hypersensitivity only
• Immune complex-mediated (Type III) vasculitis
• Granulomatous inflammation only
• Non-immune edema

Correct Answer: Immune complex-mediated (Type III) vasculitis

Q48. Which enzyme converts arachidonic acid to leukotrienes and is a drug target in asthma?

• Cyclooxygenase (COX)
• 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX)
• Phospholipase C
• Monoamine oxidase

Correct Answer: 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX)

Q49. What is the primary benefit of using corticosteroids in severe inflammatory conditions?

• Direct antimicrobial killing
• Broad suppression of inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production
• Permanent immune activation
• Enhancement of leukocyte recruitment

Correct Answer: Broad suppression of inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production

Q50. Which cardinal sign of inflammation is primarily due to increased vascular permeability and fluid accumulation in tissues?

• Pain
• Swelling (tumor)
• Redness (rubor)
• Heat (calor)

Correct Answer: Swelling (tumor)

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