Fungal Infections: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment - Advanced Diploma in Healthcare

Question 1

Which clinical manifestation is characteristic of Mucormycosis?

Accepted Answer

Necrotic lesions with black eschars

Answer

Extensive skin involvement with multiple lesions

Answer

Presence of granulomas

Answer

More common in immunocompetent patients

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a fungal infection commonly affecting humans?

Accepted Answer

Gonorrhea

Answer

Tinea pedis (Athlete's foot)

Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP)

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Question 3

Which of the following is the most common type of fungal infection worldwide?

Accepted Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 4

What is the preferred initial treatment for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis?

Accepted Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Isavuconazole

Question 5

What is the primary mode of transmission for Aspergillus fumigatus?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation

Answer

Contact

Answer

Ingestion

Answer

Vector-borne

Question 6

What is the primary risk factor for developing invasive aspergillosis?

Accepted Answer

Neutropenia (a low white blood cell count)

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Immunodeficiency

Answer

Trauma

Question 7

Which antifungal medication is typically used as the first-line treatment for candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Question 8

How is cryptococcosis primarily transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of spores from contaminated soil or bird droppings

Answer

Contact with infected animals

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food

Answer

Blood transfusion

Question 9

What type of superficial fungal infection commonly affects the skin's surface?

Accepted Answer

Tinea corporis

Answer

Candida auris

Answer

Aspergillus flavus

Answer

Pneumocystis jirovecii

Question 10

Which of the following is the primary route of transmission for Pneumocystis jirovecii?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation of airborne spores

Answer

Direct contact with contaminated soil

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food

Answer

Animal bites

Question 11

In treating Candida infections, which antifungal medication is considered the first-line treatment?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 12

What is a characteristic feature of infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus?

Accepted Answer

It often affects the respiratory system, particularly the lungs

Answer

It is commonly found in the soil environment

Answer

It exhibits resistance to most antifungal medications

Answer

It is primarily a superficial infection

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a potential complication associated with fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Dissemination to other organs

Answer

Sepsis

Answer

Meningitis

Question 14

Which type of fungus is the culprit behind athlete's foot?

Accepted Answer

Dermatophyte

Answer

Candida

Answer

Pneumocystis

Answer

Cryptococcus

Question 15

Which diagnostic method is commonly used for identifying fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Microscopic examination of a stained specimen

Answer

Blood culture

Answer

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique

Answer

Biopsy

Question 16

What is the recommended initial treatment for cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive individuals?

Accepted Answer

Combination of amphotericin B and flucytosine

Answer

Fluconazole monotherapy

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Itraconazole

Question 17

Which transmission route is unlikely for fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Blood transfusions

Answer

Inhalation

Answer

Touching contaminated surfaces

Answer

Pet or animal bites

Question 18

Which antifungal drug class inhibits cell wall synthesis in fungi?

Accepted Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Azoles

Answer

Pyrimidines

Question 19

Identify the fungus responsible for athlete's foot:

Accepted Answer

Trichophyton rubrum

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer

Histoplasma capsulatum

Question 20

A major risk factor for invasive aspergillosis is:

Accepted Answer

Immunosuppression

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 21

Treating cryptococcal meningitis, which antifungal drug is typically recommended?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Caspofungin

Question 22

Pulmonary aspergillosis is primarily acquired through:

Accepted Answer

Inhaling fungal spores

Answer

Skin infection

Answer

Intravenous drug use

Answer

Contact with animals

Question 23

What is the primary mechanism of action of azole antifungals?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis, a vital component of fungal cell membranes

Answer

Disruption of cell wall synthesis

Answer

Interference with DNA synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Question 24

Which of the following is a characteristic clinical manifestation of candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Oral thrush (white plaques on the tongue and oral mucosa)

Answer

Paronychia (redness and swelling around the nails)

Answer

Ringworm (scaly, red, itchy skin lesions)

Answer

Aspergillosis (pulmonary infection)

Question 25

What is the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole (a single oral dose)

Answer

Itraconazole (multiple daily doses)

Answer

Voriconazole (intravenous infusion)

Answer

Amphotericin B (topical cream)

Question 26

What type of specimen is most appropriate for diagnosing onychomycosis (fungal nail infection)?

Accepted Answer

Nail clipping (fragment of the infected nail)

Answer

Blood culture (sample of blood)

Answer

Skin scraping (sample of skin from the affected area)

Answer

Urine sample (sample of urine)

Question 27

What is the primary mode of transmission for ringworm (dermatophyte infection)?

Accepted Answer

Direct contact with infected individuals or animals

Answer

Inhalation of spores (rare)

Answer

Ingesting contaminated food (not a common transmission route)

Answer

Animal bites (not a typical mode of transmission for ringworm)

Question 28

Which of the following antifungal agents is known for its potential hepatotoxicity (liver damage)?

Accepted Answer

Itraconazole (requires liver enzyme monitoring)

Answer

Flucytosine (relatively low risk of hepatotoxicity)

Answer

Caspofungin (echinocandin class, generally well-tolerated)

Answer

Echinocandins (class of antifungals, generally low risk of hepatotoxicity)

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of fungal infections in humans?

Accepted Answer

High cure rate

Answer

Invasiveness

Answer

Opportunistic nature

Answer

Slow growth rate

Question 30

What is the primary diagnostic method for diagnosing superficial fungal infections, such as athlete's foot?

Accepted Answer

Microscopy

Answer

Biopsy

Answer

Culture

Answer

Serology

Question 31

Which class of antifungals primarily targets the synthesis of ergosterol, a component of the fungal cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Azoles

Answer

Polyenes

Answer

Echinocandins

Answer

Flucytosine

Question 32

Which type of fungal infection is characterised by the formation of distinct granulomas, often seen in the lungs?

Accepted Answer

Histoplasmosis

Answer

Dermatophytosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Aspergillosis

Question 33

Which antifungal agent is commonly utilised as the initial treatment option for most cases of candidiasis?

Accepted Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Echinocandin

Question 34

When selecting an antifungal medication, which factor should be given the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Patient's immune status

Answer

Cost

Answer

Route of administration

Answer

Broad spectrum of activity

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a common fungal infection affecting the skin?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis)

Answer

Pityriasis versicolor (Tinea versicolor)

Answer

Oral thrush (Candidiasis)

Question 36

Which of the following antifungal drugs is primarily used to treat severe, systemic fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Itraconazole

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Terbinafine

Question 37

What is the term for a fungal infection of the heart valves?

Accepted Answer

Endocarditis

Answer

Pneumonia

Answer

Meningitis

Question 38

Which of the following fungal infections can potentially cause fatal disseminated disease?

Accepted Answer

Aspergillosis

Answer

Tinea unguium

Answer

Tinea corporis

Question 39

A farmer presents with persistent cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray reveals patchy lung infiltrates.  Considering the patient's occupation and symptoms, which fungal infection is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Histoplasmosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Cryptococcosis

Answer

Aspergillosis

Question 40

Which antifungal medication is most effective against dermatophytes, the fungi causing skin infections like athlete's foot and ringworm?

Accepted Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Voriconazole

Answer

Amphotericin B

Question 41

A patient with a weakened immune system develops white patches on their tongue and oral mucosa. What is the most likely fungal organism causing this oral infection?

Accepted Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Answer

Aspergillus fumigatus

Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Question 42

An HIV-positive patient presents with severe headache, fever, and altered mental status.  Encapsulated yeast cells are found in the cerebrospinal fluid. Which fungal infection is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Cryptococcal meningitis

Answer

Candida meningitis

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Answer

Aspergillus meningitis

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing fungal infections?

Accepted Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Long-term antibiotic use

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Immunosuppression

Question 44

A patient has a painful, swollen, and discolored area on their leg. The area is warm and has a red, raised border.  What fungal infection is most likely causing these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Sporotrichosis

Answer

Aspergillosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Tinea corporis (Ringworm)

Question 45

Which antifungal medication is commonly used to treat serious systemic fungal infections, including aspergillosis and candidiasis, in severely ill patients?

Accepted Answer

Amphotericin B

Answer

Fluconazole

Answer

Terbinafine

Answer

Clotrimazole

Question 46

A lung transplant recipient develops fever, cough, and chest pain.  Fungal hyphae are found in the lung tissue during a bronchoscopy. What fungal infection is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Aspergillosis

Answer

Cryptococcosis

Answer

Blastomycosis

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Question 47

Which of the following statements accurately describes the morphology of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can exist as single-celled yeasts or multicellular molds.

Answer

Fungi are always multicellular organisms.

Answer

Fungi are prokaryotic organisms.

Question 48

A patient with a history of diabetes presents with a painless, white lesion on the nail of their big toe. What fungal infection is most likely responsible for this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Onychomycosis

Answer

Candidiasis

Answer

Tinea pedis

Answer

Tinea corporis