Vitamins: niacin: practice question

A Biochemistry 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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Biochemistry · Vitamins: niacin

Sample item

Which clinical triad is associated with severe niacin deficiency?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia

Niacin deficiency causes pellagra, classically dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. It can occur with malnutrition, malabsorption, or impaired tryptophan metabolism.

Option by option

  • A. Night blindness, xerophthalmia, and keratomalacia

    The ocular triad is associated with vitamin A deficiency.

  • B. Dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia (correct)

    Correct. These are the classic three Ds of pellagra.

  • C. Bleeding, bruising, and bone pain

    Bleeding and bone pain suggest other nutritional deficiencies.

  • D. Megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy

    Megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy suggest vitamin B12 deficiency.

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 Biochemistry question

What is the answer to this Biochemistry question?

The best answer is B, Dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. Niacin deficiency causes pellagra, classically dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

Why is "Night blindness, xerophthalmia, and keratomalacia" not the answer?

The ocular triad is associated with vitamin A deficiency.

Why is "Bleeding, bruising, and bone pain" not the answer?

Bleeding and bone pain suggest other nutritional deficiencies.

Why is "Megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy" not the answer?

Megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy suggest vitamin B12 deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vitamins: niacin in Biochemistry. It can occur with malnutrition, malabsorption, or impaired tryptophan metabolism.

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 Vitamins: niacin?

Build one table of enzyme deficiency, disease, inheritance and key finding, then revise it by spaced recall. Then use the flashcards and the other Biochemistry 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.