Endocrine physiology: parathyroid hormone: 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: parathyroid hormone

Sample item

What is the net effect of parathyroid hormone on serum calcium and phosphate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Raises calcium and lowers phosphate

PTH raises serum calcium through bone, renal, and vitamin D-mediated effects while lowering phosphate by reducing proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption. Its effects are coordinated to restore extracellular calcium.

Option by option

  • A. Raises both equally by intestinal absorption only

    PTH affects kidney and bone as well as intestinal absorption through vitamin D.

  • B. Raises calcium and lowers phosphate (correct)

    Correct. PTH causes hypercalcemic and phosphaturic effects.

  • C. Lowers calcium and raises phosphate

    This is the opposite of PTH's net pattern.

  • D. Lowers both without renal effect

    Renal phosphate wasting is a major PTH action.

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 B, Raises calcium and lowers phosphate. PTH raises serum calcium through bone, renal, and vitamin D-mediated effects while lowering phosphate by reducing proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption.

Why is "Raises both equally by intestinal absorption only" not the answer?

PTH affects kidney and bone as well as intestinal absorption through vitamin D.

Why is "Lowers calcium and raises phosphate" not the answer?

This is the opposite of PTH's net pattern.

Why is "Lowers both without renal effect" not the answer?

Renal phosphate wasting is a major PTH action.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrine physiology: parathyroid hormone in Physiology. Its effects are coordinated to restore extracellular calcium.

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: parathyroid hormone?

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.