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 primary disorder has high pH and low arterial carbon dioxide?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Respiratory alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis results from primary carbon-dioxide loss through hyperventilation, increasing pH before renal compensation lowers bicarbonate.

Option by option

  • A. Metabolic acidosis

    Metabolic acidosis has low bicarbonate.

  • B. Respiratory acidosis

    Respiratory acidosis has high CO2.

  • C. Respiratory alkalosis (correct)

    Correct: low CO2 causes primary respiratory alkalosis.

  • D. Metabolic alkalosis

    Metabolic alkalosis begins with high bicarbonate.

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, Respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis results from primary carbon-dioxide loss through hyperventilation, increasing pH before renal compensation lowers bicarbonate.

Why is "Metabolic acidosis" not the answer?

Metabolic acidosis has low bicarbonate.

Why is "Respiratory acidosis" not the answer?

Respiratory acidosis has high CO2.

Why is "Metabolic alkalosis" not the answer?

Metabolic alkalosis begins with high bicarbonate.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Acid-base physiology in Physiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: low CO2 causes primary respiratory alkalosis.

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.