Renal physiology: clearance: 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 · Renal physiology: clearance

Sample item

A substance is freely filtered and neither reabsorbed nor secreted. Its renal clearance equals what?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Glomerular filtration rate

For a freely filtered solute with no tubular handling, excretion equals filtered load, so clearance equals GFR. Inulin approximates this ideal.

Option by option

  • A. Urine flow rate

    Urine flow is volume excreted per minute, not solute clearance.

  • B. Renal plasma flow

    Renal plasma flow is measured approximately by PAH clearance at low concentration.

  • C. Glomerular filtration rate (correct)

    Correct. Its plasma volume cleared per minute is the GFR.

  • D. Filtration fraction

    Filtration fraction is GFR divided by renal plasma flow.

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, Glomerular filtration rate. For a freely filtered solute with no tubular handling, excretion equals filtered load, so clearance equals GFR.

Why is "Urine flow rate" not the answer?

Urine flow is volume excreted per minute, not solute clearance.

Why is "Renal plasma flow" not the answer?

Renal plasma flow is measured approximately by PAH clearance at low concentration.

Why is "Filtration fraction" not the answer?

Filtration fraction is GFR divided by renal plasma flow.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Renal physiology: clearance in Physiology. Inulin approximates this ideal.

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 Renal physiology: clearance?

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.