Introduction:
Essential minerals MCQs With Answer are vital study tools for B. Pharm students preparing for pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, and therapeutics exams. This focused set covers macro minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride), and trace elements (iron, zinc, copper, selenium, iodine) including absorption, transport, storage, deficiency symptoms, toxicity, laboratory markers, and drug–mineral interactions. Each question emphasizes clinical relevance, mechanisms, and pharmaceutical implications to deepen understanding and improve retention. Ideal for revision, practice tests, and competitive exams, these MCQs highlight practical points such as chelation, diuretic effects, and supplementation strategies. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which mineral is the principal extracellular cation responsible for maintaining plasma osmolarity and nerve conduction?
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Sodium
Q2. Hypokalemia commonly results from which pharmacological class of drugs?
- Loop diuretics
- ACE inhibitors
- Beta-blockers
- SSRIs
Correct Answer: Loop diuretics
Q3. Which mineral is essential for bone mineralization and is stored mainly in bone as hydroxyapatite?
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Zinc
- Copper
Correct Answer: Phosphorus
Q4. Which trace element is a cofactor for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and important for wound healing and immune function?
- Zinc
- Iron
- Manganese
- Fluoride
Correct Answer: Zinc
Q5. Which laboratory marker is most sensitive for assessing body iron stores?
- Serum ferritin
- Hemoglobin concentration
- Hematocrit
- Serum iron
Correct Answer: Serum ferritin
Q6. Excessive intake of which mineral can cause hemochromatosis-like iron overload symptoms when combined with iron supplementation?
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Vitamin C
Q7. Which mineral deficiency is classically associated with microcytic, hypochromic anemia?
- Iron
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Iron
Q8. Which of the following minerals is most likely to be chelated by tetracycline antibiotics, reducing its absorption?
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Chloride
- Potassium
Correct Answer: Calcium
Q9. Which mineral deficiency is commonly associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy causing long-term malabsorption?
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Copper
- Fluoride
Correct Answer: Magnesium
Q10. Which trace element is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis as a component of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)?
- Iodine
- Chromium
- Manganese
- Nickel
Correct Answer: Iodine
Q11. Which mineral acts as the primary intracellular cation critical for cardiac repolarization and neuromuscular function?
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Iron
Correct Answer: Potassium
Q12. Which mineral is commonly given as ferrous sulfate in oral therapy and is best absorbed on an empty stomach but may cause GI upset?
- Iron
- Magnesium oxide
- Zinc sulfate
- Calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: Iron
Q13. Which mineral deficiency during pregnancy is linked to neural tube defects and is often tested with folate rather than this mineral?
- None of the above — folate is the key nutrient
- Iron
- Calcium
- Zinc
Correct Answer: None of the above — folate is the key nutrient
Q14. Copper is required for which of the following enzymatic activities relevant to connective tissue synthesis?
- Lysyl oxidase activity
- Carbonic anhydrase activity
- Amylase activity
- Thyroid peroxidase activity
Correct Answer: Lysyl oxidase activity
Q15. Which mineral’s serum concentration is tightly regulated by parathyroid hormone and calcitonin?
- Calcium
- Iron
- Selenium
- Fluoride
Correct Answer: Calcium
Q16. Which mineral deficiency can present with ataxia, neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy and is monitored by erythrocyte transketolase activity?
- Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency — not a mineral
- Magnesium deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
Correct Answer: Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency — not a mineral
Q17. Selenium is important for which antioxidant enzyme that reduces hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides?
- Glutathione peroxidase
- Superoxide dismutase
- Catalase
- Lactoperoxidase
Correct Answer: Glutathione peroxidase
Q18. Which mineral is commonly measured as serum chloride and works with sodium to maintain acid–base balance and extracellular fluid volume?
- Chloride
- Phosphate
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Chloride
Q19. Which trace element deficiency is linked to impaired wound healing, taste disturbances, and increased susceptibility to infection?
- Zinc deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Chromium deficiency
- Cobalt deficiency
Correct Answer: Zinc deficiency
Q20. Which mineral is essential for hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport?
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Correct Answer: Iron
Q21. Which drug class can impair absorption of vitamin B12 and magnesium, indirectly affecting which mineral homeostasis?
- Proton pump inhibitors affecting magnesium
- Beta-lactams affecting calcium
- Statins affecting phosphorus
- Antihistamines affecting sodium
Correct Answer: Proton pump inhibitors affecting magnesium
Q22. Which mineral deficiency is characterized by goiter and hypothyroid symptoms?
- Iodine deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Magnesium deficiency
Correct Answer: Iodine deficiency
Q23. Which mineral is most likely to interact with quinolone antibiotics by chelation, reducing antibiotic absorption?
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Potassium
- Chloride
Correct Answer: Magnesium
Q24. Which mineral serves as a cofactor for pyruvate carboxylase and is important in carbohydrate metabolism?
- Biotin is the cofactor; magnesium acts as general enzyme cofactor
- Iron
- Calcium
- Zinc
Correct Answer: Biotin is the cofactor; magnesium acts as general enzyme cofactor
Q25. Which mineral excess is associated with gastrointestinal distress, hypotension, and in severe cases cardiac arrhythmias and is treated with IV calcium?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypernatremia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
Q26. Which mineral deficiency is linked to anemia with glossitis and neurological symptoms and is treated with intramuscular injections when oral therapy fails?
- Vitamin B12 deficiency — not a mineral
- Iron deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Magnesium deficiency
Correct Answer: Vitamin B12 deficiency — not a mineral
Q27. Which mineral is incorporated into metalloenzymes involved in electron transport and connective tissue formation and can accumulate in Wilson disease?
- Copper
- Zinc
- Iron
- Chromium
Correct Answer: Copper
Q28. Which of the following minerals is most critical for stabilizing ATP and acting as a cofactor in kinase reactions?
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Zinc
Correct Answer: Magnesium
Q29. Which mineral’s therapeutic supplementation is commonly used to prevent osteoporotic fractures by maintaining bone density?
- Calcium
- Iron
- Selenium
- Fluoride
Correct Answer: Calcium
Q30. Which mineral deficiency can present with cheilosis, stomatitis, alopecia, and is important for DNA synthesis and cell division?
- Zinc deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
- Potassium deficiency
Correct Answer: Zinc deficiency
Q31. Which mineral is used topically in dental products to reduce dental caries by enhancing enamel remineralization?
- Fluoride
- Iron
- Zinc
- Copper
Correct Answer: Fluoride
Q32. Which mineral deficiency may present with increased bleeding, impaired collagen synthesis, and is addressed by ensuring adequate dietary intake, not a mineral replacement?
- Vitamin C deficiency — not a mineral
- Calcium deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Potassium deficiency
Correct Answer: Vitamin C deficiency — not a mineral
Q33. Which mineral is a component of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) essential for hematopoiesis?
- Cobalt
- Chromium
- Nickel
- Manganese
Correct Answer: Cobalt
Q34. Which trace element is important for insulin action and is often discussed in relation to glucose tolerance?
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Fluoride
- Molybdenum
Correct Answer: Chromium
Q35. Elevated serum phosphate with low calcium is commonly seen in which endocrine disorder or condition?
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Iron overload
- Zinc toxicity
Correct Answer: Hypoparathyroidism
Q36. Which mineral competes with iron for absorption when taken in high amounts and can reduce iron absorption if coadministered?
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Sodium
Correct Answer: Calcium
Q37. Molybdenum is a cofactor for which class of enzymes involved in purine metabolism?
- Xanthine oxidase
- Cytochrome P450 oxidases
- Kinases
- Polymerases
Correct Answer: Xanthine oxidase
Q38. Which mineral status is routinely monitored using serum ceruloplasmin levels in suspected Wilson disease?
- Copper status
- Zinc status
- Iron status
- Calcium status
Correct Answer: Copper status
Q39. Which mineral deficiency is implicated in decreased activity of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase requiring thiamine, and is not directly a mineral issue?
- Thiamine deficiency — vitamin, not mineral
- Magnesium deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
Correct Answer: Thiamine deficiency — vitamin, not mineral
Q40. Which mineral is essential for mitochondrial function and is a component of cytochrome c oxidase?
- Copper
- Iron
- Selenium
- Magnesium
Correct Answer: Copper
Q41. Which mineral’s toxicity causes neurological impairment, peripheral neuropathy, and is a concern in chronic overexposure from water or supplements?
- Lead — heavy metal, not essential mineral
- Iron
- Fluoride
- Zinc
Correct Answer: Lead — heavy metal, not essential mineral
Q42. Dietary phytates and tannins most strongly inhibit absorption of which mineral?
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Chloride
Correct Answer: Iron
Q43. Which mineral is routinely supplemented with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to support red blood cell production?
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Correct Answer: Iron
Q44. Which mineral deficiency may cause refractory iron deficiency anemia due to impaired iron mobilization and is associated with low ceruloplasmin?
- Copper deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Magnesium deficiency
- Calcium deficiency
Correct Answer: Copper deficiency
Q45. Which mineral plays a structural role in metalloenzymes for DNA synthesis (ribonucleotide reductase) and is critical for cell proliferation?
- Iron
- Calcium
- Fluoride
- Potassium
Correct Answer: Iron
Q46. Which mineral supplementation is contraindicated in patients with hemochromatosis?
- Iron supplements
- Calcium supplements
- Zinc supplements
- Magnesium supplements
Correct Answer: Iron supplements
Q47. Which mineral is primarily excreted by the kidneys and may accumulate in renal failure causing hyperphosphatemia?
- Phosphate
- Iron
- Zinc
- Selenium
Correct Answer: Phosphate
Q48. Which trace element deficiency has been linked to cardiomyopathy in Keshan disease?
- Selenium deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
- Iron deficiency
- Copper deficiency
Correct Answer: Selenium deficiency
Q49. Which mineral plays a pivotal role in coagulation by acting as a cofactor for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (indirectly via vitamin K), though not directly a mineral cofactor?
- Calcium acts directly in coagulation cascade
- Iron acts directly in coagulation cascade
- Magnesium acts directly in coagulation cascade
- Zinc acts directly in coagulation cascade
Correct Answer: Calcium acts directly in coagulation cascade
Q50. Which mineral deficiency or imbalance is best managed acutely in severe cases by intravenous calcium gluconate to stabilize cardiac membranes?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypernatremia
- Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: Hyperkalemia
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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