Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Which dietary supplement is most appropriate for patients diagnosed with Wilson's disease?

1. Copper sulfate

2. Zinc acetate

3. Selenium

4. Vitamin E

The correct answer is: Zinc acetate

Zinc acetate is the most appropriate dietary supplement for patients diagnosed with Wilson's disease because it plays a crucial role in managing this condition. Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder that leads to excessive accumulation of copper in the body, particularly in the liver and brain. The primary goal in treating this disease is to reduce the levels of copper. Zinc acetate helps to achieve this by inhibiting the absorption of copper in the intestines and promoting the excretion of copper through the kidneys. By doing this, it effectively reduces the copper load in the body without directly introducing more copper, which would be detrimental to these patients. Other options are not suitable for patients with Wilson's disease. Copper sulfate would exacerbate the condition, as it contains copper. Selenium and vitamin E, while beneficial for other conditions, do not have a direct role in managing copper levels in Wilson's disease and are not shown to be effective in reducing copper toxicity in these patients. Thus, zinc acetate is the preferred choice in dietary supplementation for managing Wilson's disease.