NR 565 / NR 566 Advanced Pharmacology
Midterm Exam | Chamberlain University |
HIV Treatment, Weight Management,
Infectious Disease | Q&A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Advanced Pharmacology / HIV Treatment / Weight Management / Infectious
Disease
Source: NR 565 / NR 566 Advanced Pharmacology Care of the Fundamentals –
Midterm Exam (Chamberlain University)
Format: Open-ended questions with Correct Answers and rationales
1. What are the common CAP (Community-Acquired Pneumonia)
pathogens?
Correct Answer: S. Pneumoniae (most common), H. Influenzae
(smokers/COPD), P. Aeruginosa (CF)
Rationale:
1. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of CAP
across all age groups.
2. Haemophilus influenzae frequently causes CAP in patients with smoking
history or COPD due to impaired airway clearance.
3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with CAP in cystic fibrosis patients
due to chronic airway colonization.
2. What is the first-line treatment for CAP?
Correct Answer: Macrolides, Doxycycline, Amoxicillin
Rationale:
1. Macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin) cover atypical pathogens and
are first-line for outpatient CAP.
2. Doxycycline is an alternative for patients with contraindications to
, 2|Page
macrolides or beta-lactams.
3. Amoxicillin is first-line when Streptococcus pneumoniae is the suspected
pathogen without atypicals.
3. What should be given if the first CAP treatment doesn't work?
Correct Answer: Respiratory Fluoroquinolone if not received antibiotics
in the past 3 months
Rationale:
1. Respiratory fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin) provide broad
coverage including resistant pneumococci.
2. Prior antibiotic use within 3 months increases risk of resistance to first-
line agents.
3. Fluoroquinolones are reserved for failure or contraindication to first-line
therapy to preserve efficacy.
4. What is Mycoplasma pneumoniae?
Correct Answer: Atypical pneumonia; commonly seen in children
Rationale:
1. Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes "walking pneumonia" with gradual onset
and extrapulmonary manifestations.
2. It is most common in school-age children and young adults.
3. Transmission occurs in crowded settings such as schools and dormitories.
5. How is pediatric atypical pneumonia treated?
Correct Answer: Macrolides (Erythromycin); if failed, then Respiratory
fluoroquinolone
Rationale:
1. Macrolides are first-line due to efficacy against Mycoplasma and safety
in children.
2. Erythromycin is preferred, though azithromycin is often used for better
tolerability.
3. Respiratory fluoroquinolones are reserved for macrolide failure or
resistance due to safety concerns in children.
6. How is CAP treated during pregnancy?
Correct Answer: Amoxicillin, cephalosporins, or Erythromycin
, 3|Page
Rationale:
1. Amoxicillin and cephalosporins are pregnancy category B with established
safety profiles.
2. Erythromycin (not estolate form) is safe and covers atypical pathogens.
3. Doxycycline and fluoroquinolones are avoided in pregnancy due to fetal
risks.
7. How is chlamydial pneumonia in an infant treated?
Correct Answer: Macrolide (Azithromycin): 500mg orally on day 1
followed by 250 mg once daily on days 2-5
Rationale:
1. Azithromycin is preferred due to once-daily dosing and good tissue
penetration.
2. The 5-day course is effective for Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia in
infants.
3. Erythromycin is an alternative but has more gastrointestinal side effects.
8. When should broad/empiric spectrum antibiotics be used?
Correct Answer: Before cultures are resulted/critically ill patient after
first culture obtained, based on NP knowledge of patient history, local
susceptibility/geographic location
Rationale:
1. Empiric therapy is initiated when infection is suspected but pathogen is
unknown.
2. Critically ill patients require immediate treatment before culture results
return.
3. Local antibiogram data guides appropriate empiric coverage based on
resistance patterns.
9. When should narrow spectrum antibiotics be used?
Correct Answer: Used when the culture and sensitivity is resulted, and
pathogen is known
Rationale:
1. Narrow spectrum antibiotics target specific pathogens to reduce resistance
development.
2. Culture and sensitivity results allow de-escalation from empiric therapy.
3. This approach preserves normal flora and minimizes side effects.