Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
A patient is allergic to penicillin. Which class of antibiotics might they also have a cross-allergy to?
Correct answer
Cephalosporins share a similar structure with penicillin, risking cross-allergy. Sulfonamides, macrolides, and aminoglycosides lack this relation.
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Cephalosporins. Cephalosporins have a beta-lactam ring structure similar to penicillin, leading to potential cross-allergy. Sulfonamides, macrolides, and aminoglycosides have different chemical structures, reducing the likelihood of cross-allergy. Therefore, individuals allergic to penicillin may have a cross-allergy to cephalosporins due to structural similarity, making it the correct choice.