Final answer:
Potassium supplements are not typically prescribed to combat the toxic effects of antibiotics; rather, they are used to treat hypokalemia, a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that potassium supplements are usually prescribed to combat toxic effects of antibiotics is false. While it is true that antibiotics can disturb the balance of good bacteria and may harm the body's microbiome, they do not typically induce a deficiency in potassium that would require supplementation. Potassium plays critical roles in the body, such as maintaining proper osmotic pressure and electrolyte balance, influencing cardiac muscle activity, and is vital for protein biosynthesis by ribosomes. However, potassium supplements are more often prescribed for conditions like hypokalemia, which is a deficiency in potassium. Hypokalemia can cause serious health issues, including disruption of cellular membrane potential due to the imbalance of sodium and potassium ions.