NURS 5334 Practice Exam 2026| Actual
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
1. Which narrow spectrum antibiotic is good for strep and syphilis and contains a Beta Lactam
ring?
A) Macrolides
B) Aminoglycosides
C) Penicillins
D) Fluoroquinolones
Correct Answer: C) Penicillins.
Explanation: Penicillins are beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. They
are highly effective against Streptococcus species and Treponema pallidum (syphilis), making
them first-line therapy for these infections.
2. How do Beta-lactam antibiotics work?
A) Inhibit protein synthesis
B) Inhibit folic acid synthesis
C) Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis causing lysis
D) Inhibit DNA gyrase
Correct Answer: C) Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis causing lysis.
Explanation: Beta-lactams bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and prevent cross-linking
of peptidoglycan. This weakens the bacterial cell wall, leading to osmotic instability and cell
rupture (bactericidal action).
3. Other than penicillins, which antibiotics contain a Beta lactam ring?
A) Macrolides and tetracyclines
B) Aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones
C) Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams (Aztreonam)
D) Sulfonamides and metronidazole
,Correct Answer: C) Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams (Aztreonam).
Explanation: All these classes share the beta-lactam ring structure and work by inhibiting cell
wall synthesis. Despite structural differences, they share similar bactericidal mechanisms.
4. Which penicillin is recommended for kids but often dismissed due to bad taste?
A) Penicillin G
B) Amoxicillin
C) Penicillin V
D) Piperacillin
Correct Answer: C) Penicillin V.
Explanation: Penicillin V is commonly used for streptococcal infections in children but is often
avoided due to its unpleasant taste, which may reduce adherence.
5. Oxacillin/Nafcillin/Dicloxacillin are resistant to what?
A) Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
B) Penicillinase (beta-lactamase)
C) DNA gyrase inhibitors
D) Protein synthesis inhibitors
Correct Answer: B) Penicillinase (beta-lactamase).
Explanation: These are penicillinase-resistant penicillins designed to treat beta-lactamase–
producing Staphylococcus species by resisting enzymatic breakdown.
6. Oxacillin/Nafcillin/Dicloxacillin treat which gram positive bacteria?
A) Streptococcus only
B) Enterococcus only
C) Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis
D) Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: C) Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis.
Explanation: They are specifically used for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
and other penicillinase-producing gram-positive cocci.
7. What is the result of rapidly administering Penicillin G?
, A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: C) Hyperkalemia.
Explanation: Penicillin G potassium contains potassium salts. Rapid IV administration may
elevate serum potassium levels, potentially causing cardiac arrhythmias.
8. What antibiotic is given in penicillin allergy but avoided in anaphylaxis?
A) Vancomycin
B) Clindamycin
C) Cephalosporins
D) Macrolides
Correct Answer: C) Cephalosporins.
Explanation: Cephalosporins have low cross-reactivity with penicillins; however, they should be
avoided in patients with true IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions to penicillin.
9. Three safe alternatives for penicillin allergy?
A) Cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams
B) Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin
C) Fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides
D) Sulfonamides, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin
Correct Answer: B) Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin.
Explanation: These agents provide gram-positive coverage without beta-lactam cross-reactivity
and are commonly used in patients with severe penicillin allergies.
10. Two broad spectrum penicillins?
A) Penicillin G and Penicillin V
B) Oxacillin and Nafcillin
C) Ampicillin and Amoxicillin
D) Piperacillin and Ticarcillin
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
1. Which narrow spectrum antibiotic is good for strep and syphilis and contains a Beta Lactam
ring?
A) Macrolides
B) Aminoglycosides
C) Penicillins
D) Fluoroquinolones
Correct Answer: C) Penicillins.
Explanation: Penicillins are beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. They
are highly effective against Streptococcus species and Treponema pallidum (syphilis), making
them first-line therapy for these infections.
2. How do Beta-lactam antibiotics work?
A) Inhibit protein synthesis
B) Inhibit folic acid synthesis
C) Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis causing lysis
D) Inhibit DNA gyrase
Correct Answer: C) Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis causing lysis.
Explanation: Beta-lactams bind to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and prevent cross-linking
of peptidoglycan. This weakens the bacterial cell wall, leading to osmotic instability and cell
rupture (bactericidal action).
3. Other than penicillins, which antibiotics contain a Beta lactam ring?
A) Macrolides and tetracyclines
B) Aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones
C) Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams (Aztreonam)
D) Sulfonamides and metronidazole
,Correct Answer: C) Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams (Aztreonam).
Explanation: All these classes share the beta-lactam ring structure and work by inhibiting cell
wall synthesis. Despite structural differences, they share similar bactericidal mechanisms.
4. Which penicillin is recommended for kids but often dismissed due to bad taste?
A) Penicillin G
B) Amoxicillin
C) Penicillin V
D) Piperacillin
Correct Answer: C) Penicillin V.
Explanation: Penicillin V is commonly used for streptococcal infections in children but is often
avoided due to its unpleasant taste, which may reduce adherence.
5. Oxacillin/Nafcillin/Dicloxacillin are resistant to what?
A) Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
B) Penicillinase (beta-lactamase)
C) DNA gyrase inhibitors
D) Protein synthesis inhibitors
Correct Answer: B) Penicillinase (beta-lactamase).
Explanation: These are penicillinase-resistant penicillins designed to treat beta-lactamase–
producing Staphylococcus species by resisting enzymatic breakdown.
6. Oxacillin/Nafcillin/Dicloxacillin treat which gram positive bacteria?
A) Streptococcus only
B) Enterococcus only
C) Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis
D) Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: C) Staph aureus and Staph epidermidis.
Explanation: They are specifically used for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
and other penicillinase-producing gram-positive cocci.
7. What is the result of rapidly administering Penicillin G?
, A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: C) Hyperkalemia.
Explanation: Penicillin G potassium contains potassium salts. Rapid IV administration may
elevate serum potassium levels, potentially causing cardiac arrhythmias.
8. What antibiotic is given in penicillin allergy but avoided in anaphylaxis?
A) Vancomycin
B) Clindamycin
C) Cephalosporins
D) Macrolides
Correct Answer: C) Cephalosporins.
Explanation: Cephalosporins have low cross-reactivity with penicillins; however, they should be
avoided in patients with true IgE-mediated anaphylactic reactions to penicillin.
9. Three safe alternatives for penicillin allergy?
A) Cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams
B) Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin
C) Fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides
D) Sulfonamides, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin
Correct Answer: B) Vancomycin, Erythromycin, Clindamycin.
Explanation: These agents provide gram-positive coverage without beta-lactam cross-reactivity
and are commonly used in patients with severe penicillin allergies.
10. Two broad spectrum penicillins?
A) Penicillin G and Penicillin V
B) Oxacillin and Nafcillin
C) Ampicillin and Amoxicillin
D) Piperacillin and Ticarcillin
