Age-Specific Rational Antibiotic Use MCQ Quiz | Therapeutics

Welcome to the quiz on Age-Specific Rational Antibiotic Use. This assessment is designed for MBBS students to test their understanding of selecting appropriate antibiotics based on patient age, from neonates to the elderly. Rational antibiotic use is crucial to ensure efficacy, minimize adverse effects, and combat antimicrobial resistance. This quiz covers key concepts including pharmacokinetic changes across age groups, contraindicated drugs in specific populations like children and pregnant women, and first-line treatments for common infections in different age brackets. Challenge your knowledge with these 25 multiple-choice questions. After submitting, you can review your score, see the correct answers highlighted, and download a PDF of the questions and answers for your revision. Good luck!

1. A 2-day-old neonate presents with fever, lethargy, and poor feeding. What is the most appropriate empiric antibiotic combination for suspected early-onset sepsis?

2. Why is ceftriaxone generally contraindicated in neonates, especially those with hyperbilirubinemia?

3. A 3-year-old child is diagnosed with non-severe acute otitis media (AOM). According to current guidelines, what is the first-line antibiotic treatment?

4. Use of tetracyclines is avoided in children younger than 8 years due to the risk of:

5. Fluoroquinolones are used with caution in the pediatric population primarily due to concerns about:

6. An 80-year-old patient with a creatinine clearance of 35 mL/min is diagnosed with an uncomplicated UTI. Which antibiotic would require the most careful dose adjustment?

7. Why is nitrofurantoin often considered inappropriate for elderly patients with significant renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min)?

8. Which of the following antibiotic classes is classified as FDA Pregnancy Category D, indicating positive evidence of human fetal risk?

9. A breastfeeding mother needs an antibiotic. Why should sulfonamides be avoided, particularly if the infant is premature or jaundiced?

10. What is the most likely pathogen and recommended first-line treatment for a 4-year-old with typical community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)?

11. A 10-year-old presents with a persistent dry cough, low-grade fever, and wheezing. Chest X-ray shows diffuse interstitial infiltrates. What is the most appropriate antibiotic?

12. Empiric treatment for bacterial meningitis in a 3-week-old infant should cover Listeria monocytogenes. Which regimen is appropriate?

13. For a 25-year-old with suspected bacterial meningitis, what is the standard empiric antibiotic regimen?

14. A neonate treated with chloramphenicol develops hypothermia, flaccidity, and an ashen-gray skin color. This is characteristic of:

15. Compared to adults, neonates have a higher percentage of total body water. How does this affect the volume of distribution (Vd) for hydrophilic drugs like aminoglycosides?

16. Which age-related physiological change in the elderly most significantly impacts the clearance of renally excreted antibiotics?

17. A pregnant woman in her second trimester is diagnosed with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Which of the following is a safe and effective treatment option?

18. Why is extended-interval (once-daily) dosing of aminoglycosides often preferred in pediatric patients (excluding neonates) with normal renal function?

19. A 16-year-old is diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis. They have a history of a non-anaphylactic rash with amoxicillin. What is an appropriate alternative?

20. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, what is typically administered to the eyes of a newborn shortly after birth?

21. A healthy 45-year-old adult with no comorbidities is diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. Which of the following is a recommended first-line monotherapy?

22. A 78-year-old patient on warfarin is prescribed an antibiotic for a skin infection. Which antibiotic has a well-known, significant interaction that increases the INR and risk of bleeding?

23. The use of macrolides, particularly erythromycin, in early infancy has been associated with an increased risk of:

24. Dosing of vancomycin in pediatric patients is primarily based on:

25. A key principle of rational antibiotic use across all age groups is to: