American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Which deficiency is characterized by poor wound healing and dysgeusia?

Pyridoxine deficiency
Zinc deficiency
Cobalamin deficiency
Thiamine deficiency

The correct answer is: Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency is characterized by poor wound healing and dysgeusia, which refers to a distortion of the sense of taste, often presenting as a metallic or altered taste perception. This mineral plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including immune function, cell division, and protein synthesis, all of which are essential for proper wound healing. A deficiency in zinc can lead to delayed healing of wounds due to its role in collagen synthesis and inflammatory response. Furthermore, zinc is a critical cofactor for several enzymes involved in taste perception. Therefore, a lack of zinc can disrupt the normal functioning of taste buds, leading to dysgeusia. When assessing deficiencies that lead to impaired wound healing and changes in taste, zinc deficiency is the most directly correlated based on its established biological functions.