Which of the following can damage a multimeter?

The option involving measuring voltage while configured to the resistance setting is correct because multimeters are designed to measure specific electrical parameters based on their selected mode. When a multimeter is set to measure resistance, it applies a small test voltage to the circuit to determine the resistance value. If it is then used to measure voltage, this can potentially lead to a situation where the internal components of the multimeter are exposed to voltage levels that exceed their ratings, possibly resulting in damage or incorrect readings.

Using the voltage setting to measure resistance or the resistance setting to measure voltage can cause internal circuits to operate incorrectly or even be overloaded, which might permanently damage the multimeter's sensitive components. Understanding the implications of using the wrong setting is crucial for safe and effective use of this tool.