Endocrine drugs: oestrogen adverse effects: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Endocrine drugs: oestrogen adverse effects

Sample item

A postmenopausal woman with an intact uterus takes oestrogen alone for hot flushes. Which risk is increased, and how is it mitigated?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer, mitigated by adding a progestin

Unopposed oestrogen stimulates endometrial proliferation, raising the risk of hyperplasia and carcinoma, so women with a uterus receive a progestin. Oestrogen also increases thromboembolism, gallstones and breast tenderness.

Option by option

  • A. Osteoporosis, mitigated by adding calcium

    Oestrogen protects bone.

  • B. Hypotension, mitigated by salt

    Oestrogen tends to raise blood pressure slightly.

  • C. Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer, mitigated by adding a progestin (correct)

    Correct. Unopposed oestrogen risks endometrial cancer.

  • D. Hyperkalaemia, mitigated by a diuretic

    Hyperkalaemia is not the issue.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is C, Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer, mitigated by adding a progestin. Unopposed oestrogen stimulates endometrial proliferation, raising the risk of hyperplasia and carcinoma, so women with a uterus receive a progestin.

Why is "Osteoporosis, mitigated by adding calcium" not the answer?

Oestrogen protects bone.

Why is "Hypotension, mitigated by salt" not the answer?

Oestrogen tends to raise blood pressure slightly.

Why is "Hyperkalaemia, mitigated by a diuretic" not the answer?

Hyperkalaemia is not the issue.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine drugs: oestrogen adverse effects in Pharmacology. Oestrogen also increases thromboembolism, gallstones and breast tenderness.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrine drugs: oestrogen adverse effects?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.