Acid-base 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 · Acid-base physiology

Sample item

What is the expected respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Increased ventilation lowering arterial carbon dioxide

Metabolic acidosis stimulates ventilation, lowering arterial carbon dioxide and partially raising pH while renal mechanisms address the underlying metabolic disturbance.

Option by option

  • A. Hypoventilation raising arterial carbon dioxide

    Hypoventilation would worsen acidaemia by retaining carbon dioxide.

  • B. Renal retention of hydrogen ions

    Kidneys should excrete rather than retain hydrogen ions when able.

  • C. Increased ventilation lowering arterial carbon dioxide (correct)

    Correct: hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide as compensation.

  • D. Reduced bicarbonate regeneration

    Bicarbonate regeneration helps correct metabolic acidosis.

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 ventilation lowering arterial carbon dioxide. Metabolic acidosis stimulates ventilation, lowering arterial carbon dioxide and partially raising pH while renal mechanisms address the underlying metabolic disturbance.

Why is "Hypoventilation raising arterial carbon dioxide" not the answer?

Hypoventilation would worsen acidaemia by retaining carbon dioxide.

Why is "Renal retention of hydrogen ions" not the answer?

Kidneys should excrete rather than retain hydrogen ions when able.

Why is "Reduced bicarbonate regeneration" not the answer?

Bicarbonate regeneration helps correct metabolic acidosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Acid-base physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: hyperventilation lowers carbon dioxide as compensation.

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 Acid-base 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.