Question 1

The 'cardinal signs' of Hansen's disease are: (Select all that apply)&#10;A) positive skin smear.&#10;B) skin lesions.&#10;C) cough.&#10;D) optic nerve damage.&#10;E) peripheral nerve involvement.

Accepted Answer

The cardinal signs of Hansen's disease are positive skin smear, skin lesions, and peripheral nerve involvement.

Question 2

An antituberculotic drug with a sterilising action is:&#10;A) isoniazid.&#10;B) ethambutol.&#10;C) rifampicin.&#10;D) gentamicin.

Accepted Answer

Rifampicin is the antituberculotic drug with a sterilizing action. It is able to penetrate necrotic and caseous areas where tuberculosis bacilli may be dormant, and is effective against both intracellular and extracellular mycobacteria. Isoniazid, ethambutol, and gentamicin are also antituberculotic drugs but do not have a sterilizing action.

Question 3

The most active agent for leprosy is:&#10;A) dapsone.&#10;B) rifampicin.&#10;C) thalidomide.&#10;D) streptomycin.

Accepted Answer

Rifampicin is the most active agent for the treatment of leprosy. It has potent activity against Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that cause leprosy, and is effective both in killing the bacteria and preventing its spread. It is a key component of the multidrug therapy (MDT) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of leprosy.

Question 4

In isoniazid treatment for tuberculosis,supplementation with ________ may be required:&#10;A) niacin&#10;B) riboflavin&#10;C) thiamine&#10;D) pyridoxine

Accepted Answer

Supplementation with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may be required during isoniazid treatment to prevent peripheral neuropathy.

Question 5

A typical drug combination in the first-line treatment of leprosy is:&#10;A) thalidomide and ofloxacin.&#10;B) minocycline and prednisolone.&#10;C) clofazimine and cycloserine.&#10;D) dapsone and rifampicin.

Accepted Answer

The drug combination of dapsone and rifampicin is a standard first-line treatment for leprosy. Dapsone is bacteriostatic and rifampicin is bactericidal, so the combination targets both actively dividing and non-dividing bacteria, providing a more effective treatment regimen. Additionally, this combination has been used for many years and is well-tolerated by patients with minimal side effects.

Question 6

Which of the following factors would cause favourable conditions for tuberculosis to spread?&#10;A) Social inequity&#10;B) Overcrowding&#10;C) Exposure to livestock/wildlife that may be infected&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All three factors mentioned (social inequity, overcrowding, and exposure to infected livestock/wildlife) have been identified as contributing factors to the spread of tuberculosis. Social inequity can lead to poor access to healthcare, which can then lead to undiagnosed or untreated cases of TB. Overcrowding can facilitate the spread of the disease in indoor environments such as hospitals, prisons, and shelters. Exposure to infected livestock or wildlife can lead to zoonotic transmission of the disease. Therefore, all three factors can create favourable conditions for TB to spread.

Question 7

Treatment for tuberculosis consists of a bactericidal phase and a sterilising phase.

Accepted Answer

Treatment for tuberculosis typically involves a 2-phase approach. The first phase, the bactericidal phase, aims to kill as many bacteria as possible through a course of antibiotics. The second phase, the sterilising phase, involves a longer course of antibiotics to eliminate any remaining bacteria and prevent a relapse.

Question 8

An unusual consequence of rifampicin antituberculotic therapy is that:&#10;A) faeces turn black.&#10;B) faeces turn white.&#10;C) urine turns red.&#10;D) urine turns bright yellow.

Accepted Answer

Rifampicin can cause urine, sweat, and tears to turn a red-orange color, which is a harmless side effect but can be surprising to patients.

Question 9

Which tests should be regularly undertaken during rifampicin therapy?&#10;A) Monitor the full blood count and liver function during the course of therapy.&#10;B) Monitor electrolyte levels and cardiac function during the course of therapy.&#10;C) Monitor renal function and exercise tolerance during the course of therapy.&#10;D) Monitor hearing and eye function during the course of therapy.

Accepted Answer

Rifampicin can cause hepatotoxicity and hematologic abnormalities, so monitoring the full blood count and liver function tests is necessary during the course of therapy.

It is not necessary to monitor electrolyte levels, cardiac function, renal function, exercise tolerance, hearing or eye function during rifampicin therapy.

Question 10

Mrs Debere,suffering from tuberculosis,noticed a deterioration in visual acuity.This was most likely related to:&#10;A) ethambutol.&#10;B) streptomycin.&#10;C) isoniazid.&#10;D) rifampicin.

Accepted Answer

Ethambutol is known to cause optic neuritis, which can lead to a deterioration in visual acuity. This side effect is relatively rare but can occur in patients taking the drug for an extended period of time. Streptomycin is not commonly associated with visual acuity problems, while isoniazid and rifampicin can cause other side effects but are not known to affect vision.

Question 11

In the context of antituberculotic drug action,a bactericidal drug:&#10;A) kills all tuberculosis bacteria.&#10;B) targets dividing bacteria.&#10;C) kills persistent dormant bacteria.&#10;D) targets bacteria in the lungs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of antituberculotic drug action,a...

Question 12

A pregnant patient with Hansen's disease can be safely treated with thalidomide.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A pregnant patient with Hansen's disease can...

Deck 70: Antituberculotic and Antileprotic Agents