, NURS 5334 MODULE 6 QUIZ
Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
100-Question Original Practice Quiz
Module 6 Scope: Anti-infectives, Antifungals, Antivirals, and Non-HIV Infections
2026/2027 Edition
1. A stable outpatient has a suspected bacterial infection, but culture results are still pending.
Whichprescribing principle best supports antimicrobial stewardship?
A) Choose the broadest available regimen for every infection
B) Combine two antibiotics regardless of severity
C) Use the narrowest empiric regimen that reasonably covers the likely pathogens
D) Delay all therapy until culture results return in every case
Correct Answer: C) Use the narrowest empiric regimen that reasonably covers the likely pathogens
Rationale: Empiric therapy should cover the most likely organisms while avoiding unnecessary breadth. Once microbiology
data are available, therapy should be narrowed when clinically appropriate.
2. Culture and susceptibility results identify a single pathogen susceptible to a narrow-spectrum
agent.
What is the best next step?
A) Continue broad-spectrum therapy until all symptoms disappear
B) Add a second broad-spectrum agent
C) Extend treatment automatically by two weeks
D) De-escalate to the narrowest effective drug
Correct Answer: D) De-escalate to the narrowest effective drug
Rationale: De-escalation reduces unnecessary exposure, toxicity, and selection pressure while preserving efficacy against
the documented pathogen.
3. Which factor most directly supports choosing a bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic drug in a
severelyimmunocompromised patient?
A) Tablet color
B) Drug price alone
C) Dependence on host immune function for pathogen clearance
D) Patient preference for once-daily dosing
Correct Answer: C) Dependence on host immune function for pathogen clearance
Rationale: Bacteriostatic agents depend more heavily on host defenses to clear inhibited organisms. In selected severe
infections or immunocompromised states, bactericidal activity may be preferred.
4. A patient asks why antibiotics are not prescribed for an uncomplicated viral upper respiratory
infection.What is the best explanation?
NURS 5334 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, A) Antibiotics only work in hospitalized patients
B) Antibiotics do not treat viruses and unnecessary use increases adverse effects and resistance
C) Antibiotics are avoided because they always cause C. difficile infection
D) Viral infections always resolve within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B) Antibiotics do not treat viruses and unnecessary use increases adverse effects and resistance
Rationale: Antibiotics target bacterial processes, not viruses. Unnecessary use exposes patients to harm without benefit
and increases antimicrobial resistance.
5. What is the most important reason to verify a reported penicillin allergy before avoiding allbeta-
lactams?
A) Penicillin allergy never persists
B) Cephalosporins never cross-react
C) Many reported allergies are not true immediate hypersensitivity reactions
D) Allergic reactions occur only after IV dosing
Correct Answer: C) Many reported allergies are not true immediate hypersensitivity reactions
Rationale: Many allergy labels reflect remote childhood events, side effects, or nonallergic reactions. Clarifying the history
can preserve access to preferred beta-lactam therapy.
6. A patient improves clinically after 48 hours of IV antibiotics and can tolerate oral medications.
Whichstrategy is usually appropriate when an effective oral option exists?
A) Continue IV therapy solely because it is stronger
B) Switch from IV to oral therapy
C) Double the IV dose
D) Stop therapy immediately regardless of infection
Correct Answer: B) Switch from IV to oral therapy
Rationale: Early IV-to-oral conversion can reduce complications and cost when the patient is stable and an oral agent with
adequate bioavailability and tissue penetration is available.
7. Which finding most strongly suggests antibiotic-associated C. difficile infection?
A) Mild nausea immediately after one dose
B) New frequent watery diarrhea after recent antibiotic exposure
C) Transient metallic taste
D) Isolated constipation
Correct Answer: B) New frequent watery diarrhea after recent antibiotic exposure
Rationale: C. difficile commonly presents with new watery diarrhea following antibiotic exposure, particularly with high-risk
agents and healthcare exposure.
8. Why should renal function be reviewed before prescribing many anti-infective agents?
A) Renal function determines all drug absorption
NURS 5334 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
100-Question Original Practice Quiz
Module 6 Scope: Anti-infectives, Antifungals, Antivirals, and Non-HIV Infections
2026/2027 Edition
1. A stable outpatient has a suspected bacterial infection, but culture results are still pending.
Whichprescribing principle best supports antimicrobial stewardship?
A) Choose the broadest available regimen for every infection
B) Combine two antibiotics regardless of severity
C) Use the narrowest empiric regimen that reasonably covers the likely pathogens
D) Delay all therapy until culture results return in every case
Correct Answer: C) Use the narrowest empiric regimen that reasonably covers the likely pathogens
Rationale: Empiric therapy should cover the most likely organisms while avoiding unnecessary breadth. Once microbiology
data are available, therapy should be narrowed when clinically appropriate.
2. Culture and susceptibility results identify a single pathogen susceptible to a narrow-spectrum
agent.
What is the best next step?
A) Continue broad-spectrum therapy until all symptoms disappear
B) Add a second broad-spectrum agent
C) Extend treatment automatically by two weeks
D) De-escalate to the narrowest effective drug
Correct Answer: D) De-escalate to the narrowest effective drug
Rationale: De-escalation reduces unnecessary exposure, toxicity, and selection pressure while preserving efficacy against
the documented pathogen.
3. Which factor most directly supports choosing a bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic drug in a
severelyimmunocompromised patient?
A) Tablet color
B) Drug price alone
C) Dependence on host immune function for pathogen clearance
D) Patient preference for once-daily dosing
Correct Answer: C) Dependence on host immune function for pathogen clearance
Rationale: Bacteriostatic agents depend more heavily on host defenses to clear inhibited organisms. In selected severe
infections or immunocompromised states, bactericidal activity may be preferred.
4. A patient asks why antibiotics are not prescribed for an uncomplicated viral upper respiratory
infection.What is the best explanation?
NURS 5334 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 1
, A) Antibiotics only work in hospitalized patients
B) Antibiotics do not treat viruses and unnecessary use increases adverse effects and resistance
C) Antibiotics are avoided because they always cause C. difficile infection
D) Viral infections always resolve within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B) Antibiotics do not treat viruses and unnecessary use increases adverse effects and resistance
Rationale: Antibiotics target bacterial processes, not viruses. Unnecessary use exposes patients to harm without benefit
and increases antimicrobial resistance.
5. What is the most important reason to verify a reported penicillin allergy before avoiding allbeta-
lactams?
A) Penicillin allergy never persists
B) Cephalosporins never cross-react
C) Many reported allergies are not true immediate hypersensitivity reactions
D) Allergic reactions occur only after IV dosing
Correct Answer: C) Many reported allergies are not true immediate hypersensitivity reactions
Rationale: Many allergy labels reflect remote childhood events, side effects, or nonallergic reactions. Clarifying the history
can preserve access to preferred beta-lactam therapy.
6. A patient improves clinically after 48 hours of IV antibiotics and can tolerate oral medications.
Whichstrategy is usually appropriate when an effective oral option exists?
A) Continue IV therapy solely because it is stronger
B) Switch from IV to oral therapy
C) Double the IV dose
D) Stop therapy immediately regardless of infection
Correct Answer: B) Switch from IV to oral therapy
Rationale: Early IV-to-oral conversion can reduce complications and cost when the patient is stable and an oral agent with
adequate bioavailability and tissue penetration is available.
7. Which finding most strongly suggests antibiotic-associated C. difficile infection?
A) Mild nausea immediately after one dose
B) New frequent watery diarrhea after recent antibiotic exposure
C) Transient metallic taste
D) Isolated constipation
Correct Answer: B) New frequent watery diarrhea after recent antibiotic exposure
Rationale: C. difficile commonly presents with new watery diarrhea following antibiotic exposure, particularly with high-risk
agents and healthcare exposure.
8. Why should renal function be reviewed before prescribing many anti-infective agents?
A) Renal function determines all drug absorption
NURS 5334 Module 6 Practice Quiz | 2026/2027 Edition | Page 2
