Liver: synthetic function tests: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Liver: synthetic function tests

Sample item

On day 3 after a paracetamol overdose, a young woman's prothrombin time is rising steeply but her serum albumin is still normal. What best explains the difference?

AAlbumin is produced faster than clotting factors, so its level is protectedBAlbumin is synthesised outside the liver, so it remains normal in acute injuryCFactor VII has a half-life of a few hours, whereas albumin has a half-life of about 20 daysDVitamin K deficiency from malabsorption has caused the prolonged prothrombin time

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Factor VII has a half-life of a few hours, whereas albumin has a half-life of about 20 days

The liver synthesises albumin and most clotting factors, and the prothrombin time depends on factors VII, X, V, II and fibrinogen. Factor VII has a half-life of about 4 to 6 hours, so its fall shows early in acute hepatic failure, while albumin with its long half-life takes weeks to fall. A rising prothrombin time is therefore an early prognostic marker.

Option by option

A. Albumin is produced faster than clotting factors, so its level is protected
Synthesis rate is not the explanation; the half-lives differ, so albumin falls late.
B. Albumin is synthesised outside the liver, so it remains normal in acute injury
Albumin is made exclusively in hepatocytes.
C. Factor VII has a half-life of a few hours, whereas albumin has a half-life of about 20 days (correct)
Correct. Differences in half-life explain the timing.
D. Vitamin K deficiency from malabsorption has caused the prolonged prothrombin time
A short illness with no cholestasis or malabsorption does not suggest vitamin K deficiency, and such a deficit would correct with vitamin K.

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.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, Factor VII has a half-life of a few hours, whereas albumin has a half-life of about 20 days. The liver synthesises albumin and most clotting factors, and the prothrombin time depends on factors VII, X, V, II and fibrinogen.

Why is "Albumin is produced faster than clotting factors, so its level is pro…" not the answer?

Synthesis rate is not the explanation; the half-lives differ, so albumin falls late.

Why is "Albumin is synthesised outside the liver, so it remains normal in acu…" not the answer?

Albumin is made exclusively in hepatocytes.

Why is "Vitamin K deficiency from malabsorption has caused the prolonged prot…" not the answer?

A short illness with no cholestasis or malabsorption does not suggest vitamin K deficiency, and such a deficit would correct with vitamin K.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Liver: synthetic function tests in Physiology. Factor VII has a half-life of about 4 to 6 hours, so its fall shows early in acute hepatic failure, while albumin with its long half-life takes weeks to fall. A rising prothrombin time is therefore an early prognostic marker.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Liver: synthetic function tests?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.