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.

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Pharmacology · Antimicrobials

Sample item

Why is metronidazole effective against anaerobic bacteria?

AIt inhibits viral reverse transcriptaseBIt forms toxic radicals under low-oxygen conditionsCIt blocks bacterial folate uptake onlyDIt prevents cell-wall cross-linking

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. It forms toxic radicals under low-oxygen conditions

Anaerobes reduce metronidazole to reactive intermediates that damage DNA, whereas oxygenated cells are less able to activate this pathway.

Option by option

A. It inhibits viral reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase is viral target.
B. It forms toxic radicals under low-oxygen conditions (correct)
Correct: anaerobic reduction activates DNA-damaging radicals.
C. It blocks bacterial folate uptake only
Folate uptake is not its key target.
D. It prevents cell-wall cross-linking
Cell-wall cross-linking is beta-lactam action.

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.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, It forms toxic radicals under low-oxygen conditions. Anaerobes reduce metronidazole to reactive intermediates that damage DNA, whereas oxygenated cells are less able to activate this pathway.

Why is "It inhibits viral reverse transcriptase" not the answer?

Reverse transcriptase is viral target.

Why is "It blocks bacterial folate uptake only" not the answer?

Folate uptake is not its key target.

Why is "It prevents cell-wall cross-linking" not the answer?

Cell-wall cross-linking is beta-lactam action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antimicrobials in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: anaerobic reduction activates DNA-damaging radicals.

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.