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!

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Why should zinc not be used for longer than 5-7 days when treating colds?

It can cause copper deficiency
It increases the risk of kidney stones
It leads to zinc toxicity
It reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics

The correct answer is: It can cause copper deficiency

When treating colds, zinc is commonly used to help reduce the duration of the illness. However, it is important to limit the use of zinc to 5-7 days because it can cause a deficiency in copper. Copper and zinc have a delicate balance in the body and if zinc is taken for an extended period of time, it can inhibit the absorption of copper leading to a deficiency. This can manifest in symptoms such as anemia and bone fragility. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not pertain to the specific use of zinc for treating colds. While option B may be a concern for long-term zinc supplementation, it does not directly apply to the short-term use for colds. Option C may be a concern for extremely high doses of zinc, but this is not typically seen with recommended amounts used for colds. Lastly, option D may be a concern when taking zinc with certain antibiotics, but does not apply to the general use for colds.