Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis MCQs (1–35) based on Comprehensive Ophthalmology of Khurana. High-yield questions for RRB Optometrist, Ophthalmic Officer, NEET PG, NEXT & AIIMS exams. View More Optometry and Ophthalmology mcqs.
Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis Mcqs
Q1. Most common cause of acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults:
A. Moraxella
B. Streptococcus viridans
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Corynebacterium
View Answer
C. Staphylococcus aureus ✅ Exp: Staph is predominant due to lid margin colonization.
Q2. Most common cause in children:
A. Staph aureus
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Diphtheria
D. Gonococcus
View Answer
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae ✅ Exp: Pneumococcus is common in pediatric infections.
Q3. A hallmark of bacterial conjunctivitis is:
A. Watery discharge
B. Mucopurulent discharge (yellow)
C. Stringy ropy discharge
D. Bloody tears
View Answer
B. Mucopurulent discharge (yellow) ✅ Exp: Purulent secretion suggests bacteria.
Q4. “Glue eye” in the morning is typical of:
A. Viral
B. Allergic
C. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis
D. Trachoma
View Answer
C. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis ✅ Exp: Mucopurulent discharge dries overnight.
Q5. Which organism causes most severe hyperacute conjunctivitis?
A. Pneumococcus
B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
C. Moraxella
D. Staph epidermidis
View Answer
B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae ✅ Exp: Can penetrate intact cornea → emergency.
Q6. Hyperacute gonococcal conjunctivitis presents with:
A. Mild redness
B. Copious purulent discharge + chemosis + lid edema
C. Limbal ischemia
D. Itching
View Answer
B. Copious purulent discharge + chemosis + lid edema ✅ Exp: Profuse thick discharge is hallmark.
Q7. Treatment for gonococcal conjunctivitis:
A. Oral erythromycin
B. Topical chloramphenicol
C. IM/IV ceftriaxone
D. Oral acyclovir
View Answer
C. IM/IV ceftriaxone ✅
Q8. Which bacteria can invade intact corneal epithelium?
A. Pneumococcus
B. Staph
C. Streptococcus
D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
View Answer
D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae ✅ Exp: Medical emergency due to rapid keratitis.
Q9. Most characteristic finding in pneumococcal conjunctivitis:
A. Stringy mucus
B. Mucopurulent discharge + subconj hemorrhage
C. Follicles
D. Preauricular nodes
View Answer
B. Mucopurulent discharge + subconj hemorrhage ✅ Exp: Pneumococcus causes hemorrhagic patches.
Q10. Dacryocystitis-associated conjunctivitis is caused by:
A. Enterovirus
B. Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumonia
C. HSV
D. Candida
View Answer
B. Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae✅ Exp: Infection travels from infected lacrimal sac.
Q11. Angular conjunctivitis is caused by:
A. Staph
B. Pneumococcus
C. Moraxella lacunata
D. Gonococcus
View Answer
C. Moraxella lacunata ✅ Exp: Characterized by macerated fissures at canthus.
Q12. Typical feature of Moraxella conjunctivitis:
A. Follicles
B. Excoriation of skin at canthi
C. Limbal infiltrates
D. Pseudomembrane
View Answer
B. Excoriation of skin at canthi ✅
Q13. Most common predisposing factor for bacterial conjunctivitis:
A. Swimming
B. Eye cosmetics
C. Blepharitis
D. Vitamin C deficiency
View Answer
C. Blepharitis ✅ Exp: Lid margin colonization increases risk.
Q14. Treatment of mild bacterial conjunctivitis:
A. Oral steroids
B. Topical broad-spectrum antibiotic (fluoroquinolone)
C. IV antibiotics
D. No treatment needed
View Answer
B. Topical broad-spectrum antibiotic (fluoroquinolone)✅
Q15. Which bacteria is associated with membrane formation?
A. Moraxella
B. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
C. Staph epidermidis
D. Pneumococcus
View Answer
B. Corynebacterium diphtheriae ✅ Exp: True membrane that bleeds on removal.
Q16. Pseudomembrane formation in bacterial conjunctivitis is most common with:
A. Staph
B. Pneumococcus
C. Streptococcus pyogenes
D. Gonococcus
View Answer
C. Streptococcus pyogenes✅ Exp: S. pyogenes may form pseudomembranes.
Q17. Bacterial conjunctivitis with follicles is most likely:
A. Gonococcal
B. Diphtheritic
C. Chlamydial (overlaps with bacteria)
D. Moraxella
View Answer
C. Chlamydial (overlaps with bacteria) ✅
Q18. Most common bilateral conjunctivitis:
A. Gonococcal
B. Pneumococcal
C. Diphtheritic
D. Viral
View Answer
B. Pneumococcal ✅
Q19. The absence of preauricular lymphadenopathy suggests:
A. Viral conjunctivitis
B. Chlamydial infection
C. Simple bacterial conjunctivitis
D. EKC
View Answer
C. Simple bacterial conjunctivitis ✅
Q20. Gonococcal conjunctivitis may lead to:
A. RK scars
B. Hyperacute keratitis & perforation
C. Ptosis
D. Entropion
View Answer
B. Hyperacute keratitis & perforation ✅
Q21. Diphtheritic conjunctivitis treatment includes antitoxin +:
A. Acyclovir
B. NO antibiotics
C. Systemic penicillin/erythromycin
D. Oral steroids
View Answer
C. Systemic penicillin/erythromycin✅
Q22. Common complication of bacterial conjunctivitis:
A. Retinal detachment
B. Keratitis
C. Neurotrophic ulcer
D. Optic neuritis
View Answer
B. Keratitis ✅ Exp: Due to spread of infection.
Q23. Thick, yellow discharge is characteristic of:
A. VKC
B. Adenovirus
C. Bacterial conjunctivitis
D. Allergic conjunctivitis
View Answer
C. Bacterial conjunctivitis✅
Q24. Most common cause of neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis (non-gonococcal):
A. Moraxella
B. Staph aureus / Strep pneumoniae
C. Chlamydia
D. Diptheria
View Answer
B. Staph aureus / Strep pneumoniae ✅
Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis Mcqs based on A k Khurana
Q25. Laboratory diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis requires:
A. Fundus exam
B. Gram stain + culture sensitivity
C. Mantoux test
D. ELISA
View Answer
B. Gram stain + culture sensitivity ✅
Q26. Which antibiotic is avoided in neonates?
A. Chloramphenicol
B. Moxifloxacin
C. Tetracycline
D. Fusidic acid
View Answer
C. Tetracycline ✅ Exp: Causes dental staining and bone growth inhibition.
Q27. Conjunctival scraping is mainly done in:
A. Simple bacterial case
B. Hyperacute, recurrent, or neonatal cases
C. Allergic conjunctivitis
D. Toxic conjunctivitis
View Answer
B. Hyperacute, recurrent, or neonatal cases ✅
Q28. Conjunctivitis + otitis media strongly suggests:
A. Allergy
B. Viral
C. H. influenzae conjunctivitis
D. Gonococcal
View Answer
C. H. influenzae conjunctivitis ✅
Q29. Which organism shows “gram-negative diplococci”?
A. Chlamydia
B. Moraxella
C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
D. Diphtheria
View Answer
C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae ✅
Q30. Contact lens–associated acute conjunctivitis is most commonly due to:
A. Pneumococcus
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Moraxella
D. Diphtheria
View Answer
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa ✅
Q31. Gonococcal conjunctivitis is transmitted most commonly by:
A. Air
B. Animals
C. Sexual contact / contaminated secretions
D. Food
View Answer
C. Sexual contact / contaminated secretions ✅
Q32. Severe chemosis is especially common in:
A. Simple bacterial
B. Gonococcal conjunctivitis
C. Viral
D. Allergic
View Answer
B. Gonococcal conjunctivitis ✅
Q33. Corneal involvement is LEAST common in:
A. Gonococcal
B. Pneumococcal
C. Diphtheritic
D. Simple staphylococcal conjunctivitis
View Answer
D. Simple staphylococcal conjunctivitis ✅
Q34. Conjunctival scarring occurs most in:
A. Viral
B. Diphtheritic conjunctivitis
C. Mild bacterial
D. H. influenzae
View Answer
B. Diphtheritic conjunctivitis ✅
Q35. Recurrent styes are most associated with:
A. Trachoma
B. Staph blepharitis leading to bacterial conjunctivitis
C. Allergy
D. Fungal infection
View Answer
B. Staph blepharitis leading to bacterial conjunctivitis✅
