Meningitis Multiple Choice Questions PDF

Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on meningitis: **1. Which of the following is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in newborns?** a\) Neisseria meningitidis\ b) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ c) Escherichia coli\ d) Listeria monocytogenes **2. What is the most common causative or...

Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on meningitis: **1. Which of the following is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in newborns?** a\) Neisseria meningitidis\ b) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ c) Escherichia coli\ d) Listeria monocytogenes **2. What is the most common causative organism of bacterial meningitis in adults?** a\) Haemophilus influenzae\ b) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ c) Neisseria meningitidis\ d) Listeria monocytogenes **3. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for bacterial meningitis?** a\) Recent head trauma\ b) Smoking\ c) Immunocompromised state\ d) Increased age **4. Which of the following symptoms is most commonly seen in a patient with meningitis?** a\) Vomiting\ b) Seizures\ c) Headache\ d) Diplopia **5. What is the primary method used to diagnose bacterial meningitis?** a\) CT scan\ b) MRI\ c) Blood cultures\ d) Lumbar puncture **6. Which of the following is a typical finding in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient with bacterial meningitis?** a\) Low white blood cell count\ b) Elevated glucose levels\ c) High protein levels\ d) Clear appearance **7. Which organism is most commonly associated with viral meningitis?** a\) Herpes simplex virus\ b) Neisseria meningitidis\ c) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ d) Epstein-Barr virus **8. Which of the following antibiotics is commonly used to treat bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae?** a\) Amoxicillin\ b) Ceftriaxone\ c) Doxycycline\ d) Vancomycin **9. Which of the following is a common complication of bacterial meningitis?** a\) Deafness\ b) Blindness\ c) Skin rash\ d) Arthritis **10. Which age group is most at risk for contracting viral meningitis?** a\) Newborns\ b) Elderly\ c) Children and young adults\ d) Middle-aged adults **11. Which virus is most commonly responsible for viral meningitis?** a\) Influenza virus\ b) Cytomegalovirus\ c) Enterovirus\ d) Herpes simplex virus **12. Which diagnostic test is most useful in diagnosing viral meningitis?** a\) Blood culture\ b) CSF PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)\ c) Chest X-ray\ d) Skin biopsy **13. Which of the following is NOT typically a complication of untreated meningitis?** a\) Sepsis\ b) Cerebral edema\ c) Hydrocephalus\ d) Asthma **14. Which of the following is a classic sign of meningitis in infants?** a\) Sunken fontanelle\ b) Bulging fontanelle\ c) Fever\ d) Excessive crying **15. What is the primary method of prevention for bacterial meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis?** a\) Routine vaccination\ b) Prophylactic antibiotics\ c) Isolation precautions\ d) Hand hygiene **16. Which of the following is a feature that distinguishes bacterial meningitis from viral meningitis?** a\) Duration of illness\ b) CSF glucose levels\ c) Sensitivity to antibiotics\ d) Fever pattern **17. Which of the following vaccines can help prevent bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae?** a\) Hib vaccine\ b) Pneumococcal vaccine\ c) MMR vaccine\ d) HPV vaccine **18. Which of the following is the main route of transmission for Neisseria meningitidis?** a\) Fecal-oral route\ b) Respiratory droplets\ c) Bloodborne transmission\ d) Sexual contact **19. Which of the following is a typical finding in the CSF of a patient with viral meningitis?** a\) Increased white blood cells (pleocytosis)\ b) Decreased protein levels\ c) Decreased white blood cells\ d) Absence of glucose **20. Which of the following organisms is a common cause of meningitis in immunocompromised individuals?** a\) Haemophilus influenzae\ b) Listeria monocytogenes\ c) Staphylococcus aureus\ d) Mycobacterium tuberculosis **21. Which of the following tests can be used to help distinguish between viral and bacterial meningitis?** a\) Blood culture\ b) Chest X-ray\ c) CSF Gram stain\ d) MRI **22. Which condition is a potential complication of untreated meningitis, especially in infants?** a\) Meningococcal rash\ b) Developmental delay\ c) Hypertension\ d) Asthma **23. Which antibiotic regimen is commonly used to treat meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)?** a\) Penicillin G\ b) Vancomycin\ c) Cefotaxime\ d) Amoxicillin **24. What is the recommended prophylaxis for close contacts of a patient with Neisseria meningitidis?** a\) Oral antibiotics\ b) Intravenous antibiotics\ c) Meningococcal vaccination\ d) No prophylaxis needed **25. What is the most common long-term sequelae of bacterial meningitis?** a\) Cognitive impairment\ b) Skin scarring\ c) Chronic headaches\ d) Vision loss **26. Which of the following is a classic symptom of meningitis in adults?** a\) Severe headache\ b) Anorexia\ c) Abdominal pain\ d) Muscle weakness **27. Which of the following laboratory tests is used to assess CSF protein levels?** a\) Gram stain\ b) PCR\ c) Protein electrophoresis\ d) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) **28. Which organism is most likely to cause meningitis in a patient with a history of recent head trauma or neurosurgery?** a\) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ b) Staphylococcus aureus\ c) Neisseria meningitidis\ d) Listeria monocytogenes **29. Which of the following findings in CSF analysis suggests bacterial meningitis?** a\) Increased white blood cell count and increased protein\ b) Decreased white blood cell count and increased glucose\ c) Normal white blood cell count and protein levels\ d) Normal glucose and protein levels **30. Which age group has the highest incidence of Neisseria meningitidis infections?** a\) Newborns\ b) Adolescents and young adults\ c) Elderly\ d) Middle-aged adults **31. Which of the following is a characteristic of the rash seen in meningococcal meningitis?** a\) Petechial rash\ b) Pustular rash\ c) Erythematous rash\ d) Maculopapular rash **32. Which of the following is the most likely source of a fungal infection causing meningitis?** a\) Recent surgery\ b) Contaminated food\ c) Immunosuppression\ d) Airborne transmission **33. Which group of people is most at risk for fungal meningitis?** a\) Healthy adults\ b) Immunocompromised individuals\ c) Young children\ d) Pregnant women **34. Which of the following is a common side effect of prolonged antibiotic use in treating meningitis?** a\) Hearing loss\ b) Gastrointestinal upset\ c) Visual impairment\ d) Seizures **35. What is the recommended vaccination schedule for the meningococcal vaccine?** a\) First dose at birth, second at 6 months\ b) First dose at 2 months, second at 12 months\ c) First dose at 11-12 years, booster at 16 years\ d) First dose at 1 year, no booster needed **36. Which of the following is a classic feature of meningitis in neonates?** a\) Lethargy\ b) Stiff neck\ c) Light sensitivity\ d) Rapid speech **37. What is the most common route of transmission for viral meningitis?** a\) Respiratory droplets\ b) Fecal-oral route\ c) Direct skin contact\ d) Bloodborne transmission ### 38. **Which of the following is NOT a typical cause of aseptic (viral) meningitis?** a\) Enteroviruses\ b) Herpes simplex virus\ c) Streptococcus pneumoniae\ d) Mumps virus ### 39. **Which of the following is the most common complication in children with bacterial meningitis?** a\) Developmental delay\ b) Blindness\ c) Hearing loss\ d) Paralysis ### 40. **Which of the following treatments is used to manage increased intracranial pressure in patients with meningitis?** a\) Antihypertensive medications\ b) Hypertonic saline or mannitol\ c) Anticonvulsants\ d) Steroids ### 41. **What is the most common cause of neonatal meningitis in the United States?** a\) Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus)\ b) Escherichia coli\ c) Listeria monocytogenes\ d) Neisseria meningitidis ### 42. **Which of the following is a common diagnostic feature of fungal meningitis?** a\) A history of immunosuppression\ b) A fever pattern that is typically short-lived\ c) Blood culture showing bacteria\ d) A negative CSF Gram stain ### 43. **What is the most likely diagnosis in a patient with fever, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia, with a positive Brudzinski sign?** a\) Meningitis\ b) Migraine\ c) Tension headache\ d) Encephalitis ### 44. **Which of the following can increase the risk of developing meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes?** a\) Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products\ b) Use of oral contraceptives\ c) Poor hygiene\ d) Frequent antibiotic use ### 45. **Which of the following clinical features suggests a poor prognosis in patients with meningitis?** a\) Rapid onset of fever\ b) Seizures and altered mental status\ c) Neck stiffness\ d) Mild headache ### 46. **Which of the following is an important factor in the pathophysiology of meningitis?** a\) Blood-brain barrier disruption\ b) Increased blood pressure\ c) Reduced white blood cell count\ d) Hemorrhagic shock ### 47. **Which of the following is used for chemoprophylaxis in close contacts of individuals with meningococcal meningitis?** a\) Rifampin\ b) Ciprofloxacin\ c) Azithromycin\ d) Penicillin G ### 48. **Which of the following is NOT a complication of untreated bacterial meningitis?** a\) Sepsis\ b) Epilepsy\ c) Stroke\ d) Chronic liver disease ### 49. **Which of the following viruses is the most common cause of meningitis in children?** a\) Varicella-zoster virus\ b) Enterovirus\ c) Epstein-Barr virus\ d) Cytomegalovirus ### 50. **Which of the following is a common finding in the CSF of a patient with bacterial meningitis?** a\) Low protein levels\ b) High white blood cell count (pleocytosis)\ c) Clear, colorless appearance\ d) Normal glucose levels These MCQs cover a wide range of topics related to meningitis, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. They can serve as an effective resource for testing knowledge on the subject. Here are the answers to the 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on meningitis: ### 1. **c) Escherichia coli** ### 2. **b) Streptococcus pneumoniae** ### 3. **d) Increased age** ### 4. **c) Headache** ### 5. **d) Lumbar puncture** ### 6. **c) High protein levels** ### 7. **a) Herpes simplex virus** ### 8. **b) Ceftriaxone** ### 9. **a) Deafness** ### 10. **c) Children and young adults** ### 11. **c) Enterovirus** ### 12. **b) CSF PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)** ### 13. **d) Asthma** ### 14. **b) Bulging fontanelle** ### 15. **a) Routine vaccination** ### 16. **b) CSF glucose levels** ### 17. **b) Pneumococcal vaccine** ### 18. **b) Respiratory droplets** ### 19. **a) Increased white blood cells (pleocytosis)** ### 20. **b) Listeria monocytogenes** ### 21. **c) CSF Gram stain** ### 22. **b) Developmental delay** ### 23. **c) Cefotaxime** ### 24. **a) Oral antibiotics** ### 25. **a) Cognitive impairment** ### 26. **a) Severe headache** ### 27. **c) Protein electrophoresis** ### 28. **b) Staphylococcus aureus** ### 29. **a) Increased white blood cell count and increased protein** ### 30. **b) Adolescents and young adults** ### 31. **a) Petechial rash** ### 32. **c) Immunosuppression** ### 33. **b) Immunocompromised individuals** ### 34. **b) Gastrointestinal upset** ### 35. **c) First dose at 11-12 years, booster at 16 years** ### 36. **a) Lethargy** ### 37. **b) Fecal-oral route** ### 38. **c) Streptococcus pneumoniae** ### 39. **c) Hearing loss** ### 40. **b) Hypertonic saline or mannitol** ### 41. **a) Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus)** ### 42. **a) A history of immunosuppression** ### 43. **a) Meningitis** ### 44. **a) Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products** ### 45. **b) Seizures and altered mental status** ### 46. **a) Blood-brain barrier disruption** ### 47. **a) Rifampin** ### 48. **d) Chronic liver disease** ### 49. **b) Enterovirus** ### 50. **b) High white blood cell count (pleocytosis)** These answers correspond to the MCQs provided in the previous message.