Cardiovascular 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 · Cardiovascular physiology

Sample item

What is the immediate reflex response to a sudden fall in arterial blood pressure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Increased sympathetic activity

Reduced baroreceptor firing from the carotid sinus and aortic arch increases sympathetic outflow and reduces vagal tone, raising heart rate, contractility, and peripheral vasoconstriction to support arterial pressure.

Option by option

  • A. Reduced heart rate and contractility

    Reduced rate and contractility are opposite to the compensatory response.

  • B. Increased vagal activity

    Vagal activation would lower heart rate and worsen the pressure fall.

  • C. Increased sympathetic activity (correct)

    Correct: sympathetic activation is the rapid baroreflex response to hypotension.

  • D. Increased renal sodium loss immediately

    Renal sodium handling changes more slowly than the neural baroreflex.

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 C, Increased sympathetic activity. Reduced baroreceptor firing from the carotid sinus and aortic arch increases sympathetic outflow and reduces vagal tone, raising heart rate, contractility, and peripheral vasoconstriction to support arterial pressure.

Why is "Reduced heart rate and contractility" not the answer?

Reduced rate and contractility are opposite to the compensatory response.

Why is "Increased vagal activity" not the answer?

Vagal activation would lower heart rate and worsen the pressure fall.

Why is "Increased renal sodium loss immediately" not the answer?

Renal sodium handling changes more slowly than the neural baroreflex.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: sympathetic activation is the rapid baroreflex response to hypotension.

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 Cardiovascular 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.