Which of the following is a primary mechanism by which antiviral medications exert their effects?

• A. Destruction of bacterial cell walls
• B. Blocking viral attachment or entry into host cells
• C. Inhibition of viral nucleic acid synthesis
• D. Inhibition of viral protein synthesis or assembly

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that antiviral medications target specific stages of the viral life cycle to prevent virus replication and spread.
2. Recognize that destruction of bacterial cell walls is not a mechanism of antiviral drugs, as viruses do not have cell walls and this is a target for antibiotics against bacteria.
3. Identify that blocking viral attachment or entry into host cells prevents the virus from entering and infecting the host cell, stopping the infection at an early stage.
4. Know that inhibition of viral nucleic acid synthesis stops the virus from replicating its genetic material, which is essential for producing new viral particles.
5. Understand that inhibition of viral protein synthesis or assembly prevents the formation of new viral components, thereby halting the production of infectious viruses.