NURSING PHARMACOLOGY: ANTI-INFECTIVE DRUGS 2026 EXAM FALL
1. Question
Which of the following must always be present before beginning antifungal
therapy?
A. Coagulation profile
B. Confirmed diagnosis
Correct
C. Biopsy of the infected site
D. Urinalysis
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Confirmed diagnosis
The diagnosis of fungal infection, as opposed to infection caused by virus or
bacteria, is necessary before beginning therapy with antifungal agents. Clinically,
fungal infections are best categorized first according to the site and extent of the
infection, then the route of acquisition, and finally, the virulence of the causative
,organism. These classifications are essential when determining the most effective
treatment regimen for a particular mycosis.
Option A: Mycoses classify as local (superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous) or
systemic (deep, bloodborne). The acquisition of the fungal infection is either an
exogenous (airborne/inhalation, cutaneous exposure, percutaneous inoculation)
or endogenous process (normal flora or reactivated infection).
Option C: The virulence of the organism is classified as either a primary infection
(disease arising in a healthy host), or opportunistic infection (disease arising in
human hosts that have a compromised immune system, or other defenses).
Option D: Polyene antifungals (e.g., amphotericin B) bind to ergosterol, a steroid-
alcohol unique to Fungi. The polyene-ergosterol complex creates pores in the
fungal cell membrane, ultimately leading to electrolyte leakage, cell lysis, and cell
death.
2. Question
Which choice describes the action of nucleoside analogs?
A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and cause premature
termination of viral DNA chain synthesis.
Correct Answer
B. Completely stop the replication of HIV virus.
Incorrect
, C. Allow for a patient to become non-contagious after taking for at least 3 days.
D. Are all equally effective and free of side effects.
Incorrect
Correct Answer: A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and
cause premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis
This choice correctly describes the action of nucleoside analogs. The
nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the first class
of antiretroviral drugs to be approved by the FDA. NRTIs are taken as prodrugs
and must be taken into the host cell and phosphorylated before they become
active. Once inside the host cell, cellular kinases will activate the drug. The drug
exerts its effect through its structure.
Option B: NRTIs lack a 3’-hydroxyl group at the 2’-deoxyribosyl moiety and will
have either a nucleoside or nucleotide as a base. Due to the missing 3’hydroxyl
group, the NRTI prevents the formation of a 3’-5’-phosphodiester bond in growing
DNA chains and can thus prevent replication of the virus.
Option C: An interesting feature of these drugs is that their incorporation during
RNA-dependent DNA or DNA-dependent DNA synthesis, which inhibits the
production of either positive or negative strands of the DNA.
Option D: Currently, research and trials are underway to assess the efficacy in the
use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Studies show
1. Question
Which of the following must always be present before beginning antifungal
therapy?
A. Coagulation profile
B. Confirmed diagnosis
Correct
C. Biopsy of the infected site
D. Urinalysis
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Confirmed diagnosis
The diagnosis of fungal infection, as opposed to infection caused by virus or
bacteria, is necessary before beginning therapy with antifungal agents. Clinically,
fungal infections are best categorized first according to the site and extent of the
infection, then the route of acquisition, and finally, the virulence of the causative
,organism. These classifications are essential when determining the most effective
treatment regimen for a particular mycosis.
Option A: Mycoses classify as local (superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous) or
systemic (deep, bloodborne). The acquisition of the fungal infection is either an
exogenous (airborne/inhalation, cutaneous exposure, percutaneous inoculation)
or endogenous process (normal flora or reactivated infection).
Option C: The virulence of the organism is classified as either a primary infection
(disease arising in a healthy host), or opportunistic infection (disease arising in
human hosts that have a compromised immune system, or other defenses).
Option D: Polyene antifungals (e.g., amphotericin B) bind to ergosterol, a steroid-
alcohol unique to Fungi. The polyene-ergosterol complex creates pores in the
fungal cell membrane, ultimately leading to electrolyte leakage, cell lysis, and cell
death.
2. Question
Which choice describes the action of nucleoside analogs?
A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and cause premature
termination of viral DNA chain synthesis.
Correct Answer
B. Completely stop the replication of HIV virus.
Incorrect
, C. Allow for a patient to become non-contagious after taking for at least 3 days.
D. Are all equally effective and free of side effects.
Incorrect
Correct Answer: A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and
cause premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis
This choice correctly describes the action of nucleoside analogs. The
nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the first class
of antiretroviral drugs to be approved by the FDA. NRTIs are taken as prodrugs
and must be taken into the host cell and phosphorylated before they become
active. Once inside the host cell, cellular kinases will activate the drug. The drug
exerts its effect through its structure.
Option B: NRTIs lack a 3’-hydroxyl group at the 2’-deoxyribosyl moiety and will
have either a nucleoside or nucleotide as a base. Due to the missing 3’hydroxyl
group, the NRTI prevents the formation of a 3’-5’-phosphodiester bond in growing
DNA chains and can thus prevent replication of the virus.
Option C: An interesting feature of these drugs is that their incorporation during
RNA-dependent DNA or DNA-dependent DNA synthesis, which inhibits the
production of either positive or negative strands of the DNA.
Option D: Currently, research and trials are underway to assess the efficacy in the
use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Studies show
