Endocrine 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 · Endocrine physiology

Sample item

What is the main immediate effect of parathyroid hormone on serum calcium homeostasis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Increase serum calcium concentration

Parathyroid hormone raises serum calcium by acting on bone and kidney and by increasing activation of vitamin D, while it promotes renal phosphate excretion rather than complete phosphate retention.

Option by option

  • A. Increase serum calcium concentration (correct)

    Correct: PTH acts to raise circulating calcium.

  • B. Lower serum calcium by blocking bone turnover

    Blocking bone turnover and lowering calcium is not PTH's main action.

  • C. Increase insulin sensitivity only

    Insulin sensitivity is not the principal calcium-regulating action of PTH.

  • D. Reduce renal phosphate excretion completely

    PTH increases, not eliminates, renal phosphate excretion.

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, Increase serum calcium concentration. Parathyroid hormone raises serum calcium by acting on bone and kidney and by increasing activation of vitamin D, while it promotes renal phosphate excretion rather than complete phosphate retention.

Why is "Lower serum calcium by blocking bone turnover" not the answer?

Blocking bone turnover and lowering calcium is not PTH's main action.

Why is "Increase insulin sensitivity only" not the answer?

Insulin sensitivity is not the principal calcium-regulating action of PTH.

Why is "Reduce renal phosphate excretion completely" not the answer?

PTH increases, not eliminates, renal phosphate excretion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: PTH acts to raise circulating calcium.

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 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.