Antifungal Drugs: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Uses

Question 1

Azoles inhibit which biochemical process essential for fungal growth?

Accepted Answer

Ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Chitin synthesis

Answer

DNA synthesis

Answer

Protein synthesis

Question 2

For treating candidiasis, which antifungal drug is considered the primary therapeutic choice?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Griseofulvin

Question 3

Which antifungal drug is specifically used to target dermatophyte fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 4

Which of the following antifungal drugs has a broad spectrum of activity, making it effective against a wide range of fungal species?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Terbinafine

Question 5

Which class of antifungal drugs is primarily used to treat invasive fungal infections, such as those involving the bloodstream or internal organs?

Accepted Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Fluoropyrimidines

Question 6

Which antifungal drug is specifically used to treat fungal infections of the nails, also known as onychomycosis?

Accepted Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Griseofulvin

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 7

Which class of antifungal drugs primarily targets the structural integrity of the fungal cell wall, leading to its disruption?

Accepted Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Fluoropyrimidines

Question 8

Which class of antifungal drugs targets the ergosterol synthesis pathway?

Accepted Answer

Azoles

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Fluoropyrimidines

Question 9

Which of the following statements about azoles is accurate?

Accepted Answer

They exhibit fungicidal activity against most Candida species.

Answer

They are primarily indicated for the treatment of systemic fungal infections.

Answer

They are not metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Answer

They have no potential for drug interactions.

Question 10

Which type of fungal infection is most commonly treated with echinocandins?

Accepted Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Aspergillosis

Answer

Cryptococcosis

Answer

Sporotrichosis

Question 11

Which of the following statements about antifungal drug resistance is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Resistance is always associated with reduced drug efficacy.

Answer

Resistance can develop due to mutations in target genes.

Answer

Resistant strains can be difficult to treat.

Answer

Resistance can be transmitted through horizontal gene transfer.

Question 12

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the pharmacokinetics of antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Renal function

Answer

Hepatic function

Answer

Concomitant drug therapy

Question 13

Which of the following is **NOT** a class of antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Fluoroquinolones

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Question 14

What is the primary mechanism of action of azole antifungals?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer

Disruption of the cell wall

Question 15

Which of the following is the most common **adverse effect** of polyene antifungals?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Ototoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 16

What is the primary target site of echinocandin antifungals?

Accepted Answer

1,3-β-D-glucan synthase

Answer

Chitin synthase

Answer

Ergosterol biosynthesis

Answer

DNA synthesis

Question 17

What is the recommended **empirical treatment** of choice for suspected invasive candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Echinocandin

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a class of antifungal drugs commonly used in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Macrolides

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Polyenes

Question 19

Which mechanism of action is shared by fluconazole and itraconazole, two commonly used azole antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, a crucial component of fungal cell membranes

Answer

Disruption of cell wall synthesis, leading to impaired cell growth and division

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis, preventing the replication of fungal DNA

Question 20

Which antifungal drug is commonly used for the treatment of systemic fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, a type of mold that can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals?

Accepted Answer

Voriconazole, an azole antifungal drug with potent activity against Aspergillus species

Answer

Fluconazole, an azole antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of activity

Answer

Terbinafine, an allylamine antifungal drug used for treating fungal infections of the skin and nails

Answer

Econazole, an imidazole antifungal drug used for treating fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes

Question 21

Which antifungal drug is commonly used for the treatment of fungal skin infections, such as athlete's foot and ringworm?

Accepted Answer

Clotrimazole, an imidazole antifungal drug with broad-spectrum activity against dermatophytes

Answer

Amphotericin B, a polyene antifungal drug used for treating severe systemic fungal infections

Answer

Caspofungin, an echinocandin antifungal drug used for treating serious fungal infections

Answer

Fluconazole, an azole antifungal drug used for treating systemic fungal infections

Question 22

Which of the following is a type of polyene antifungal drug?

Accepted Answer

Nystatin

Answer

Flucytosine

Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Griseofulvin

Question 23

Which of the following is the mechanism of action of azole antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of RNA synthesis

Question 24

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Gastrointestinal upset

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Question 25

Which of the following is a topical antifungal drug used in the management of candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Clotrimazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 26

Which of the following is a type of fungal infection commonly affecting the skin?

Accepted Answer

Dermatophytosis

Answer

Meningitis

Answer

Endocarditis

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 27

Which of the following is a diagnostic test specifically designed to identify fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Fungal culture

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Blood test