PHN 102 E2 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026
What are superinfections? - Answers Superinfections are secondary infections that occur during or
after treatment for a primary infection, often due to antibiotic use that disrupts normal flora.
When should a culture be obtained in relation to antibiotics? - Answers A culture should be obtained
before starting antibiotics to ensure accurate identification of the pathogen and its susceptibility to
treatment.
What is the mechanism of action for penicillins? - Answers Penicillins work by inhibiting bacterial cell
wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis and death.
What are penicillin allergies? - Answers Penicillin allergies are hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin,
which can range from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis.
What is anaphylaxis and its treatment? - Answers Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic
reaction characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, and hypotension. The drug
of choice for treatment is epinephrine.
What penicillin G formulation is used for Treponema pallidum? - Answers Benzathine penicillin G is
the formulation of choice for treating Treponema pallidum, as it provides prolonged serum levels
necessary for effective treatment.
Which cephalosporin is used to treat meningitis? - Answers Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin commonly
used to treat meningitis due to its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
What is the dosing schedule for Fosfomycin? - Answers Fosfomycin is typically dosed as a single 3g
dose for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, which simplifies adherence.
How do cephalosporin generations affect gram-negative activity? - Answers Generally, the activity of
cephalosporins against gram-negative bacteria increases with each subsequent generation.
What is cross-sensitivity between penicillins and cephalosporins? - Answers Cross-sensitivity refers to
the risk of allergic reactions to cephalosporins in patients with a history of penicillin allergy, which
may occur due to similar side chains.
Which cephalosporins should not be taken with alcohol? - Answers Cefotetan and cefoperazone
should not be taken with alcohol due to the risk of a disulfiram-like reaction.
What is red man syndrome? - Answers Red man syndrome is a reaction to vancomycin characterized
by flushing and rash, usually managed by slowing the infusion rate and premedicating with
antihistamines.
Which generation of cephalosporins is used preoperatively? - Answers First-generation
cephalosporins, such as cefazolin, are typically used as prophylaxis against infection in surgical
procedures.
Which cephalosporin has activity against MRSA? - Answers Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin that has
activity against MRSA.
What factors influence antibiotic selection? - Answers Factors include the type of infection, the
causative organism, antibiotic susceptibility, patient allergies, and renal function.
What dietary considerations are there for patients taking tetracyclines? - Answers Patients should
avoid dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements, as they can interfere with tetracycline
absorption.
In which populations are tetracyclines contraindicated? - Answers Tetracyclines are contraindicated
in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 8 years due to the risk of tooth
discoloration.
What is C. Diff? - Answers C. Diff, or Clostridium difficile, is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea
and colitis, often associated with antibiotic use, particularly clindamycin.
What is the common dosing for azithromycin? - Answers The common dosing for azithromycin, also
known as a Z-Pak, is typically 500 mg on the first day followed by 250 mg once daily for the next four
days.
What disorders are tetracyclines first-line drugs for? - Answers Tetracyclines are considered first-line
drugs for conditions such as acne, respiratory tract infections, and certain tick-borne diseases.
What are the adverse reactions to gentamicin? - Answers Adverse reactions to gentamicin can
include nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, requiring monitoring of renal function and hearing.
What are peak and trough levels? - Answers Peak levels are the highest concentration of a drug in the
bloodstream, while trough levels are the lowest. They are important for drugs like aminoglycosides to
ensure efficacy and minimize toxicity.
What are superinfections? - Answers Superinfections are secondary infections that occur during or
after treatment for a primary infection, often due to antibiotic use that disrupts normal flora.
When should a culture be obtained in relation to antibiotics? - Answers A culture should be obtained
before starting antibiotics to ensure accurate identification of the pathogen and its susceptibility to
treatment.
What is the mechanism of action for penicillins? - Answers Penicillins work by inhibiting bacterial cell
wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis and death.
What are penicillin allergies? - Answers Penicillin allergies are hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin,
which can range from mild rashes to severe anaphylaxis.
What is anaphylaxis and its treatment? - Answers Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic
reaction characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling, and hypotension. The drug
of choice for treatment is epinephrine.
What penicillin G formulation is used for Treponema pallidum? - Answers Benzathine penicillin G is
the formulation of choice for treating Treponema pallidum, as it provides prolonged serum levels
necessary for effective treatment.
Which cephalosporin is used to treat meningitis? - Answers Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin commonly
used to treat meningitis due to its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
What is the dosing schedule for Fosfomycin? - Answers Fosfomycin is typically dosed as a single 3g
dose for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, which simplifies adherence.
How do cephalosporin generations affect gram-negative activity? - Answers Generally, the activity of
cephalosporins against gram-negative bacteria increases with each subsequent generation.
What is cross-sensitivity between penicillins and cephalosporins? - Answers Cross-sensitivity refers to
the risk of allergic reactions to cephalosporins in patients with a history of penicillin allergy, which
may occur due to similar side chains.
Which cephalosporins should not be taken with alcohol? - Answers Cefotetan and cefoperazone
should not be taken with alcohol due to the risk of a disulfiram-like reaction.
What is red man syndrome? - Answers Red man syndrome is a reaction to vancomycin characterized
by flushing and rash, usually managed by slowing the infusion rate and premedicating with
antihistamines.
Which generation of cephalosporins is used preoperatively? - Answers First-generation
cephalosporins, such as cefazolin, are typically used as prophylaxis against infection in surgical
procedures.
Which cephalosporin has activity against MRSA? - Answers Ceftaroline is a cephalosporin that has
activity against MRSA.
What factors influence antibiotic selection? - Answers Factors include the type of infection, the
causative organism, antibiotic susceptibility, patient allergies, and renal function.
What dietary considerations are there for patients taking tetracyclines? - Answers Patients should
avoid dairy products, antacids, and iron supplements, as they can interfere with tetracycline
absorption.
In which populations are tetracyclines contraindicated? - Answers Tetracyclines are contraindicated
in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 8 years due to the risk of tooth
discoloration.
What is C. Diff? - Answers C. Diff, or Clostridium difficile, is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea
and colitis, often associated with antibiotic use, particularly clindamycin.
What is the common dosing for azithromycin? - Answers The common dosing for azithromycin, also
known as a Z-Pak, is typically 500 mg on the first day followed by 250 mg once daily for the next four
days.
What disorders are tetracyclines first-line drugs for? - Answers Tetracyclines are considered first-line
drugs for conditions such as acne, respiratory tract infections, and certain tick-borne diseases.
What are the adverse reactions to gentamicin? - Answers Adverse reactions to gentamicin can
include nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, requiring monitoring of renal function and hearing.
What are peak and trough levels? - Answers Peak levels are the highest concentration of a drug in the
bloodstream, while trough levels are the lowest. They are important for drugs like aminoglycosides to
ensure efficacy and minimize toxicity.
