Infection control: practice question

A Microbiology 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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Microbiology · Infection control

Sample item

What is the main purpose of an antimicrobial susceptibility test?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Guide targeted effective antimicrobial therapy

Susceptibility testing estimates whether a cultured organism is inhibited by selected drugs, helping clinicians choose targeted therapy and reduce unnecessary broad coverage.

Option by option

  • A. Determine a patient's blood group

    Blood grouping is a separate laboratory test.

  • B. Replace culture identification

    Identification and susceptibility are complementary.

  • C. Measure viral load in all infections

    Viral loads need molecular assays.

  • D. Guide targeted effective antimicrobial therapy (correct)

    Correct: results guide antibiotic selection.

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 Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is D, Guide targeted effective antimicrobial therapy. Susceptibility testing estimates whether a cultured organism is inhibited by selected drugs, helping clinicians choose targeted therapy and reduce unnecessary broad coverage.

Why is "Determine a patient's blood group" not the answer?

Blood grouping is a separate laboratory test.

Why is "Replace culture identification" not the answer?

Identification and susceptibility are complementary.

Why is "Measure viral load in all infections" not the answer?

Viral loads need molecular assays.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infection control in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: results guide antibiotic selection.

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 Infection control?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.