Diabetes drugs: 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 · Diabetes drugs

Sample item

What is metformin's main action?

AStimulate insulin release directlyBBlock carbohydrate absorption completelyCCause glucagon releaseDReduce hepatic glucose output

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Reduce hepatic glucose output

Metformin mainly lowers hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity without usually causing hypoglycemia alone.

Option by option

A. Stimulate insulin release directly
Sulfonylureas stimulate insulin release.
B. Block carbohydrate absorption completely
It does not block all absorption.
C. Cause glucagon release
It does not raise glucagon.
D. Reduce hepatic glucose output (correct)
Correct: it reduces hepatic glucose output.

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 Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Reduce hepatic glucose output. Metformin mainly lowers hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity without usually causing hypoglycemia alone.

Why is "Stimulate insulin release directly" not the answer?

Sulfonylureas stimulate insulin release.

Why is "Block carbohydrate absorption completely" not the answer?

It does not block all absorption.

Why is "Cause glucagon release" not the answer?

It does not raise glucagon.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Diabetes drugs in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: it reduces hepatic glucose output.

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 Diabetes drugs?

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.