Antifungal Drugs: Master the Basics for Pharmacy Students

Question 1

What is the primary mechanism of action of polyene antifungals?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Inhibiting DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibiting cell wall synthesis

Question 2

The primary mechanism of action of azoles is the inhibition of which molecule?

Accepted Answer

Ergosterol

Answer

DNA

Answer

Protein

Answer

Cell wall components

Question 3

Echinocandins are primarily indicated for which of the following clinical conditions?

Accepted Answer

Invasive candidiasis

Answer

Aspergillosis

Answer

Cryptococcal meningitis

Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

Question 4

Which of the following adverse effects is commonly associated with azole antifungal therapy?

Accepted Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Ototoxicity

Question 5

When selecting an antifungal drug, it is generally not necessary to consider which of the following factors?

Accepted Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Patient's renal function

Answer

Patient's immune status

Answer

Previous antifungal treatment

Question 6

An important strategy for preventing antifungal resistance is to emphasize

Accepted Answer

Appropriate dosing and duration of therapy

Answer

Empiric treatment with broad-spectrum antifungals

Answer

Combination antifungal therapy

Answer

Prophylactic antifungal therapy

Question 7

Which of the following azoles is most frequently used to treat systemic fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Clotrimazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Econazole

Question 8

Which of the following antifungal drugs is recognized as the most toxic?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 9

The primary mechanism of action of azole antifungals is:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Disruption of cell membrane permeability

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Question 10

Which polyene antifungal is known for its broad-spectrum activity against fungi?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Nystatin

Answer

Griseofulvin

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 11

Which antifungal drug is teratogenic and should be avoided in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 12

The first-line treatment for invasive candidiasis is:

Accepted Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a factor that determines the spectrum of activity of antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Patient's geographic location

Answer

Fungal cell wall composition

Answer

Fungal membrane composition

Answer

Fungal metabolism

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of DNA synthesis

Question 15

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of the spectrum of activity of polyene antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Fungicidal against a wide range of fungi

Answer

Fungistatic only against dermatophytes

Answer

Synergistic with azoles against Candida spp.

Answer

Inhibits Pneumocystis jirovecii

Question 16

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with echinocandin antifungal drugs?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Ototoxicity

Question 17

In a patient with a serious fungal infection, which route of administration would be most appropriate for an antifungal drug?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Oral

Answer

Topical

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of invasive candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Candidemia

Answer

Oral candidiasis

Answer

Vaginal candidiasis

Answer

Nail candidiasis

Question 19

Which of the following is the most common fungal pathogen causing meningitis in immunocompromised patients?

Accepted Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum