Endocrine physiology: calcium: 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: calcium

Sample item

Parathyroid hormone raises serum calcium by which renal action?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Increasing calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule

PTH increases distal calcium reabsorption, decreases proximal phosphate reabsorption, and stimulates renal 1-alpha-hydroxylase to increase calcitriol. It also promotes bone resorption indirectly.

Option by option

  • A. Blocking bone resorption

    PTH promotes osteoclast-mediated bone resorption through osteoblast signalling.

  • B. Increasing phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule

    PTH causes phosphaturia by reducing proximal phosphate reabsorption.

  • C. Decreasing calcitriol formation

    PTH increases calcitriol formation.

  • D. Increasing calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule (correct)

    Correct. Distal calcium conservation helps raise serum calcium.

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 D, Increasing calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule. PTH increases distal calcium reabsorption, decreases proximal phosphate reabsorption, and stimulates renal 1-alpha-hydroxylase to increase calcitriol.

Why is "Blocking bone resorption" not the answer?

PTH promotes osteoclast-mediated bone resorption through osteoblast signalling.

Why is "Increasing phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule" not the answer?

PTH causes phosphaturia by reducing proximal phosphate reabsorption.

Why is "Decreasing calcitriol formation" not the answer?

PTH increases calcitriol formation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology: calcium in Physiology. It also promotes bone resorption indirectly.

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: calcium?

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.