Question

N-acetyl penicillamine is used in the treatment of poisoning by which of the following?

• A. Mercury
• B. Lead
• C. Cadmium
• D. Arsenic

Hint:

Think about which of these metals has no dedicated chelator, and which ones are classically paired with EDTA or dimercaprol instead.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question checks whether you can match a chelating agent to the metal it is actually used against.

1. Mercury: correct — penicillamine is an accepted oral chelator for chronic mercury poisoning.
2. Lead: wrong — lead poisoning is chelated with EDTA, dimercaprol, or succimer as first-line agents.
3. Cadmium: wrong — there is no standard chelator for cadmium; dimercaprol is even avoided here as it worsens renal toxicity.
4. Arsenic: wrong — dimercaprol (BAL) is the chelator of choice for arsenic, not penicillamine.

Correct answer: Mercury.