NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Prepare to ace the NAPLEX. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Equip yourself thoroughly for the exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

How soon should acyclovir therapy be started for it to be effective?

Within 12 hours of symptoms onset
Within 24 hours of symptoms onset
Within 48 hours of symptoms onset
At any time during the infection

The correct answer is: Within 24 hours of symptoms onset

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by the herpes virus. It works by stopping the growth of the virus. For it to be most effective, it should be started as soon as possible after symptoms appear. Option B, within 24 hours of symptoms onset, is the best choice as it allows for prompt treatment and minimizes the risk of the infection getting worse. Options A and C may still be somewhat effective, but the longer you wait to start treatment, the less effective it may be. Option D, at any time during the infection, is incorrect as the medication needs to be taken as soon as possible after symptoms appear for it to be effective. Waiting too long may not provide the desired outcome and can also lead to complications or the virus becoming resistant to the medication.