Common Bacterial Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Question 1

Which pathogen is most commonly responsible for community-acquired pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 2

Identify the characteristic symptom triad associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Accepted Answer

Dysuria, frequency, nocturia

Answer

Fever, chills, flank pain

Answer

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Answer

Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain

Question 3

Which factor is NOT a recognized predisposing risk for developing sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Hereditary predisposition

Answer

Immunosuppression

Answer

Recent trauma

Answer

Intravenous catheter insertion

Question 4

For severe pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which antibiotic class is commonly employed as first-line therapy?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin

Answer

Cephalosporin

Answer

Fluoroquinolone

Answer

Macrolide

Question 5

In methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), what is the primary molecular mechanism conferring resistance?

Accepted Answer

Mutation of the mecA gene

Answer

Modification of penicillin-binding proteins

Answer

Production of beta-lactamase enzymes

Answer

Increased drug efflux pump activity

Question 6

Which laboratory parameter is most strongly correlated with sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Increased serum lactate level

Answer

Elevated white blood cell count

Answer

Decreased platelet count

Answer

Positive blood culture

Question 7

What simple measure is most effective in preventing urinary tract infections in women?

Accepted Answer

Post-void urination

Answer

Regular antibiotic use

Answer

Cranberry juice consumption

Answer

Intermittent catheterization

Question 8

In the diagnosis of pneumonia, what is the primary utility of computed tomography (CT) scanning?

Accepted Answer

To determine the extent of lung involvement

Answer

To confirm the presence of lung consolidation

Answer

To differentiate between bacterial and viral pneumonia

Answer

To identify the specific causative organism

Question 9

Which of the following is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Moraxella catarrhalis

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 10

Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Accepted Answer

Hemoptysis

Answer

Dysuria

Answer

Urinary urgency

Answer

Lower abdominal pain

Question 11

Which of the following antibiotics is the first-line empiric choice for the treatment of uncomplicated sepsis caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli)?

Accepted Answer

Piperacillin-tazobactam

Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Ceftriaxone

Answer

Linezolid

Question 12

Which laboratory finding is commonly associated with a bacterial infection?

Accepted Answer

Elevated white blood cell count with left shift

Answer

Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Answer

Low platelet count

Answer

Positive antinuclear antibody test

Question 13

What is the most appropriate diagnostic imaging test for confirming the diagnosis of a lower respiratory tract infection?

Accepted Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Sputum culture

Answer

Blood culture

Answer

Urinalysis

Question 14

What is the recommended route of administration for antibiotics in severe sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 15

Which of the following measures is NOT recommended for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections?

Accepted Answer

Routine antibiotic prophylaxis

Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Isolation of infected patients

Answer

Use of personal protective equipment

Question 16

What is the most frequent symptom associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Accepted Answer

Frequent urination

Answer

Painful urination

Answer

Blood in the urine

Answer

Fever

Question 17

Which antibiotic is the preferred choice for treating penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae?

Accepted Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Cefuroxime

Answer

Doxycycline

Question 18

What is the primary objective of treating bacterial infections?

Accepted Answer

Elimination of the infection

Answer

Alleviation of symptoms

Answer

Prevention of complications

Answer

Improvement of overall well-being

Question 19

What is the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis in adults in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Neisseria meningitidis

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae type b

Answer

Listeria monocytogenes

Question 20

Which of the following drugs is used as part of the treatment regimen for multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis?

Accepted Answer

Bedaquiline

Answer

Isoniazid

Answer

Rifampin

Answer

Ethambutol

Question 21

What is the primary mode of transmission of Clostridioides difficile infection?

Accepted Answer

Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

Answer

Ingesting contaminated food or water

Answer

Inhalation of spores

Answer

Animal bites

Question 22

What is the primary mechanism responsible for the development of sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Uncontrolled inflammation due to complement system activation

Answer

Vasoconstriction causing low blood pressure

Answer

Inhibition of blood clotting leading to bleeding

Answer

Increased fibrinolysis resulting in excessive bleeding

Question 23

Which of these is NOT a known risk factor for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Accepted Answer

Regular exercise

Answer

Being female

Answer

Having diabetes

Answer

Neurogenic bladder

Question 24

What is the most common site of urinary tract infection in women?

Accepted Answer

Bladder

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Ureter

Answer

Urethra

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a clinical manifestation of sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Fever or chills

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Confusion

Question 26

What is the first-line empiric antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated urinary tract infection in young women?

Accepted Answer

Nitrofurantoin

Answer

Ceftriaxone

Answer

Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Question 27

Which of the following management strategies is NOT recommended for patients with uncomplicated cystitis?

Accepted Answer

Urinary tract instrumentation

Answer

Single-dose antibiotic therapy

Answer

Trimethoprim prophylaxis after recurrent infections

Answer

Patient education on hygiene measures

Question 28

What is the primary mechanism of resistance to methicillin in Staphylococcus aureus?

Accepted Answer

Modification of penicillin-binding proteins

Answer

Efflux pumps

Answer

Production of beta-lactamases

Answer

Alteration of cell wall permeability

Question 29

Which bacterial species is the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in adults?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 30

Which microorganism is the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Question 31

Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of a bacterial skin infection?

Accepted Answer

Purulent drainage

Answer

Fever

Answer

Maculopapular rash

Answer

Itching

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Question 33

A patient presents with dysuria, urinary frequency, and urgency. Which of the following tests is most appropriate to confirm the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection?

Accepted Answer

Urinalysis

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Sputum culture

Answer

Blood culture

Question 34

Which of the following antibiotics is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Broad-spectrum antibiotics covering both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., ceftriaxone or vancomycin)

Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Erythromycin

Question 35

Which of the following is a risk factor for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection?

Accepted Answer

Recent antibiotic use

Answer

Young age

Answer

Good hygiene

Answer

Healthy immune system

Question 36

A patient presents with fever, chills, and hypotension. Blood cultures are positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Which of the following treatments is indicated?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous antibiotics

Answer

Antifungal therapy

Answer

Antiviral therapy

Answer

Oral antibiotics

Question 37

A patient with a urinary tract infection develops acute kidney injury. Which of the following is a potential complication of the infection?

Accepted Answer

Sepsis

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Pneumonia

Question 38

Which of the following is the most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 39

What is the first-line antibiotic for treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in adults?

Accepted Answer

Dicloxacillin

Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Linezolid

Answer

Tigecycline

Question 40

Which of the following laboratory tests is primarily used to diagnose bacterial meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture

Answer

Chest X-ray

Answer

Blood culture

Question 41

A patient with a prosthetic joint develops pain, swelling, and erythema around the joint. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI)

Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Answer

Osteoarthritis

Answer

Gout

Question 42

Which of the following antibiotics is typically effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections?

Accepted Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Erythromycin

Answer

Penicillin

Answer

Tetracycline

Question 43

Which of the following is a recognized potential complication of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Accepted Answer

Pyelonephritis

Answer

Appendicitis

Answer

Cholecystitis

Answer

Pancreatitis

Question 44

Which of the following is the most common causative pathogen of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in adults?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 45

A 25-year-old female presents with dysuria, frequency, and urgency. Urinalysis reveals leukocytes and nitrites. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 46

A 32-year-old woman with a history of diabetes presents with fever, chills, and hypotension. Blood cultures reveal Gram-negative bacteria. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Escherichia coli

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Neisseria meningitidis

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 47

A 2-year-old child presents with high fever, irritability, and stiff neck. Lumbar puncture reveals elevated white blood cell count and protein levels. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Neisseria meningitidis

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Listeria monocytogenes

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Question 48

A 45-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse presents with fever, chills, and right upper quadrant pain. Physical exam reveals a tender liver edge. Blood cultures reveal Gram-negative bacteria. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer

Yersinia enterocolitica

Answer

Salmonella typhi

Answer

Escherichia coli

Question 49

Which of the following antibiotics is the most effective treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections?

Accepted Answer

Vancomycin

Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Cephalexin

Answer

Penicillin

Question 50

A 20-year-old college student presents with sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Examination reveals white patches on the tonsils. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Streptococcus pyogenes

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 51

Which of the following is a common complication of untreated bacterial pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Empyema

Answer

Asthma

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

Bronchitis

Question 52

A 3-year-old child presents with fever, cough, and a barking cough. Which of the following is the most likely causative organism?

Accepted Answer

Bordetella pertussis

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 53

Which of the following is a common bacterial infection that can cause food poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Salmonella

Answer

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Answer

Neisseria meningitidis