Respiratory physiology: 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 · Respiratory physiology

Sample item

What is the primary stimulus for ventilation in healthy adults?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Rise in arterial carbon dioxide

The relevant Respiratory physiology principle makes Rise in arterial carbon dioxide the best answer because it directly explains the structure or physiological response in the stem.

Option by option

  • A. Rise in arterial carbon dioxide (correct)

    Correct. Rise in arterial carbon dioxide directly follows from the core respiratory physiology relationship.

  • B. Rise in hemoglobin

    Rise in hemoglobin is not supported by the key clue provided in this item.

  • C. Rise in arterial oxygen

    Rise in arterial oxygen does not correspond to the structure or response being tested.

  • D. Fall in serum sodium

    Fall in serum sodium is associated with a different anatomical or physiological role.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Rise in arterial carbon dioxide. The relevant Respiratory physiology principle makes Rise in arterial carbon dioxide the best answer because it directly explains the structure or physiological response in the stem.

Why is "Rise in hemoglobin" not the answer?

Rise in hemoglobin is not supported by the key clue provided in this item.

Why is "Rise in arterial oxygen" not the answer?

Rise in arterial oxygen does not correspond to the structure or response being tested.

Why is "Fall in serum sodium" not the answer?

Fall in serum sodium is associated with a different anatomical or physiological role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct. Rise in arterial carbon dioxide directly follows from the core respiratory physiology relationship.

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 Respiratory physiology?

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.