MCQs: Sulphonamides, Trimethoprim and Co-trimoxazole
1. Sulfonamides act primarily by inhibiting:
A. DNA gyrase
B. Dihydropteroate synthase
C. Dihydrofolate reductase
D. Peptidyl transferase
Correct option: B. Dihydropteroate synthase
2. Sulfonamides are structural analogues of:
A. Folic acid
B. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
C. Dihydrofolic acid
D. Tetrahydrofolic acid
Correct option: B. Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
3. The antibacterial action of sulfonamides alone is usually:
A. Bactericidal
B. Bacteriostatic
C. Fungicidal
D. Virucidal
Correct option: B. Bacteriostatic
4. The free N4 amino group of sulfonamides is required for:
A. Renal excretion
B. Protein binding
C. Antibacterial activity
D. Placental transfer
Correct option: C. Antibacterial activity
5. Humans are relatively unaffected by sulfonamides because humans:
A. Do not require folate
B. Synthesize folate by an alternative enzyme
C. Obtain folate from the diet
D. Rapidly metabolize PABA
Correct option: C. Obtain folate from the diet
6. Which organism is intrinsically resistant to sulfonamides?
A. Nocardia species
B. Chlamydia trachomatis
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Escherichia coli
Correct option: C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
7. Sulfonamides have poor activity against:
A. Gram-positive cocci
B. Anaerobes
C. Nocardia
D. Chlamydia
Correct option: B. Anaerobes
8. A common mechanism of sulfonamide resistance is:
A. Decreased production of PABA
B. Increased affinity of dihydropteroate synthase for sulfonamide
C. Overproduction of PABA
D. Inhibition of bacterial ribosomes
Correct option: C. Overproduction of PABA
9. Which sulfonamide is commonly used with pyrimethamine for acute toxoplasmosis?
A. Sulfadiazine
B. Sulfacetamide
C. Sulfasalazine
D. Sulfisoxazole
Correct option: A. Sulfadiazine
10. Sulfasalazine is mainly used in:
A. Tuberculosis
B. Inflammatory bowel disease
C. Malaria
D. Pneumocystis pneumonia
Correct option: B. Inflammatory bowel disease
11. Silver sulfadiazine is used topically mainly for:
A. Acne vulgaris
B. Burn-wound infection prophylaxis
C. Fungal keratitis
D. Scabies
Correct option: B. Burn-wound infection prophylaxis
12. A serious cutaneous adverse reaction associated with sulfonamides is:
A. Erythema nodosum
B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C. Psoriasis
D. Vitiligo
Correct option: B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
13. Sulfonamides may cause hemolysis particularly in patients with:
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency
C. G6PD deficiency
D. Sickle-cell trait
Correct option: C. G6PD deficiency
14. Sulfonamides should be avoided in neonates because they may cause:
A. Gray baby syndrome
B. Kernicterus
C. Red man syndrome
D. Tooth discoloration
Correct option: B. Kernicterus
15. Trimethoprim selectively inhibits bacterial:
A. Dihydropteroate synthase
B. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
C. Dihydrofolate reductase
D. Transpeptidase
Correct option: C. Dihydrofolate reductase
16. Trimethoprim is selectively toxic because it inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase much more efficiently than mammalian enzyme. This difference is approximately:
A. 5-fold
B. 50-fold
C. 500-fold
D. 50,000-fold
Correct option: D. 50,000-fold
17. Trimethoprim may cause which hematological adverse effect?
A. Megaloblastic anemia
B. Hemolytic anemia in all patients
C. Polycythemia
D. Thalassemia
Correct option: A. Megaloblastic anemia
18. Co-trimoxazole consists of:
A. Sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine
B. Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
C. Sulfacetamide + trimethoprim
D. Sulfadoxine + trimethoprim
Correct option: B. Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
19. The bactericidal action of co-trimoxazole is due to:
A. Inhibition of cell-wall synthesis
B. Inhibition of two sequential steps in folate synthesis
C. Inhibition of protein synthesis at two ribosomal sites
D. Increased renal excretion of bacteria
Correct option: B. Inhibition of two sequential steps in folate synthesis
20. Which is the usual composition of one double-strength co-trimoxazole tablet?
A. Trimethoprim 80 mg + sulfamethoxazole 400 mg
B. Trimethoprim 160 mg + sulfamethoxazole 800 mg
C. Trimethoprim 200 mg + sulfamethoxazole 1,000 mg
D. Trimethoprim 400 mg + sulfamethoxazole 80 mg
Correct option: B. Trimethoprim 160 mg + sulfamethoxazole 800 mg
Scenario-Based MCQs
21. A patient with HIV presents with fever, dry cough, progressive dyspnea, and diffuse bilateral interstitial infiltrates. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is diagnosed. Which drug is preferred?
A. Sulfasalazine
B. Sulfacetamide
C. Co-trimoxazole
D. Sulfadoxine alone
Correct option: C. Co-trimoxazole
22. A woman with recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections requires prophylaxis. Which regimen may be used in selected patients?
A. One-half single-strength co-trimoxazole tablet three times weekly
B. Silver sulfadiazine cream once weekly
C. Sulfasalazine daily
D. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine monthly
Correct option: A. One-half single-strength co-trimoxazole tablet three times weekly
23. A premature newborn develops jaundice. Which drug should be avoided because it can displace bilirubin from plasma proteins and contribute to kernicterus?
A. Sulfonamide
B. Trimethoprim
C. Penicillin G
D. Azithromycin
Correct option: A. Sulfonamide
24. A patient receiving co-trimoxazole develops fever, painful oral erosions, conjunctivitis, and widespread blistering rash. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Erythema multiforme minor
B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C. Acneiform eruption
D. Serum sickness
Correct option: B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
25. A man with G6PD deficiency develops dark urine and jaundice after receiving a sulfonamide for a urinary infection. The likely adverse effect is:
A. Aplastic anemia
B. Hemolytic anemia
C. Megaloblastic anemia
D. Nephrotic syndrome
Correct option: B. Hemolytic anemia
26. A patient has acute toxoplasmosis. Which combination is most appropriate?
A. Sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine
B. Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
C. Sulfadoxine + trimethoprim
D. Sulfasalazine + folic acid
Correct option: A. Sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine
27. A patient with a large burn has a high risk of secondary bacterial infection. Which topical sulfonamide is preferred for prevention of burn-wound infection?
A. Sulfisoxazole
B. Silver sulfadiazine
C. Sulfasalazine
D. Sulfadoxine
Correct option: B. Silver sulfadiazine
28. A patient has bacterial conjunctivitis. Which sulfonamide preparation may be used locally?
A. Oral sulfadiazine
B. Intravenous sulfamethoxazole
C. Sodium sulfacetamide ophthalmic solution
D. Sulfasalazine tablets
Correct option: C. Sodium sulfacetamide ophthalmic solution
29. An elderly patient with renal impairment receives trimethoprim for a UTI and later develops macrocytosis and leukopenia. These effects are best explained by:
A. Inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis
B. Antifolate action of trimethoprim
C. Direct bone-marrow invasion by bacteria
D. G6PD deficiency
Correct option: B. Antifolate action of trimethoprim
30. A patient has falciparum malaria and is prescribed sulfadoxine with pyrimethamine. Which additional agent helps reduce pyrimethamine-related folate toxicity?
A. Vitamin K
B. Folic acid only
C. Folinic acid (citrovorum factor)
D. Vitamin C
Correct option: C. Folinic acid (citrovorum factor)