Question

question 17 of 20

respiratory infections, mouth cancer, yellowing of the skin and nails, and leukemia are all possible effects of which drug?

a. alcohol
b. antibiotics
c. marijuana
d. tobacco

Explanation:

Identify the symptoms listed

The question asks which drug causes respiratory infections, mouth cancer, yellowing of the skin and nails, and leukemia.

Analyze the health consequences

Using our understanding of the Health Consequences of Substances, we can evaluate each option:

• Alcohol is primarily linked to liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and brain damage.
• Antibiotics are therapeutic medicines used to treat bacterial infections, not recreational drugs with these chronic toxic effects.
• Marijuana is associated with respiratory irritation when smoked, but is not classically linked to yellowing of the skin and nails or leukemia.
• Tobacco contains nicotine, tar, and numerous carcinogens. Smoking tobacco directly damages the respiratory system (causing infections), exposes the oral cavity to carcinogens (causing mouth cancer), deposits nicotine/tar that stains skin and nails yellow, and contains benzene, which is a known cause of leukemia.

Select the matching drug

Tobacco is the only substance listed that is directly associated with all of these specific health consequences.

Answer:

• A. Alcohol
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Marijuana
• D. Tobacco (Correct answer)