Section 1: Basic Questions About Antifungals
Question 1 Which of the following is an opportunistic systemic fungal infection?
• A) Sporotrichosis
• B) Aspergillosis
• C) Blastomycosis
• D) Histoplasmosis
Ans B Rationale: Opportunistic systemic fungal infections occur in immunocompromised
patients and include Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, and Mucormycosis. Non-
opportunistic infections, such as sporotrichosis, blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis, affect
healthy individuals.
Question 2 What is the drug of choice (DOC) for most systemic fungal infections?
• A) Fluconazole
• B) Amphotericin B
• C) Itraconazole
• D) Ketoconazole
Ans B Rationale: Amphotericin B is the DOC for most systemic fungal infections due to its
broad-spectrum antifungal activity, despite its high toxicity.
Question 3 Which antifungal is effective against both systemic and superficial fungal
infections but has a black box warning for patients with heart failure?
• A) Amphotericin B
• B) Itraconazole
• C) Fluconazole
• D) Terbinafine
Ans B Rationale: Itraconazole is effective for both systemic and superficial fungal infections
but has a BBW due to its negative inotropic effects, contraindicating its use in patients with
heart failure.
Question 4 Which antifungal is primarily used to treat superficial fungal infections, such as
candidiasis?
• A) Amphotericin B
• B) Fluconazole
• C) Itraconazole
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,• D) Ketoconazole
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,Ans B Rationale: Fluconazole is a commonly prescribed antifungal for superficial infections
like candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis.
Question 5 Which organism is responsible for the majority of cases of superficial fungal
infections?
• A) Candida albicans
• B) Aspergillus spp.
• C) Cryptococcus neoformans
• D) Mucorales spp.
Ans A Rationale: Candida albicans is a common cause of superficial fungal infections, particularly
involving mucosal surfaces, skin, and nails.
Question 6 What is the primary safety concern associated with Amphotericin B?
• A) Hepatotoxicity
• B) Nephrotoxicity and infusion reactions
• C) Cardiotoxicity
• D) Ototoxicity
Ans B Rationale: Amphotericin B has significant nephrotoxicity and infusion-related
reactions, limiting its use to life-threatening fungal infections.
Question 7 Which antifungal is the DOC for histoplasmosis and blastomycosis?
• A) Amphotericin B
• B) Fluconazole
• C) Itraconazole
• D) Ketoconazole
Ans C Rationale: Itraconazole is the preferred agent for non-opportunistic systemic
infections such as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis.
Question 8 What is the recommended antifungal for cryptococcal meningitis?
• A) Amphotericin B
• B) Itraconazole
• C) Fluconazole
• D) Terbinafine
Ans C Rationale: Fluconazole is effective in treating cryptococcal meningitis, particularly in
immunocompromised patients.
Question 9 Which antifungal carries the highest risk for systemic toxicity and is reserved
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, for life-threatening infections?
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