Nutrition: human milk composition: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Nutrition: human milk composition

Sample item

A mother asks why breast milk suits her newborn better than undiluted cow's milk. Which statement about human milk composition is correct?

AIt has more protein and minerals, with casein predominatingBIt has less lactose and more total protein than cow's milkCIt has more lactose and protein that is mainly casein (about 80%)DIt has more lactose and protein that is mainly whey (about 60:40 whey to casein)

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. It has more lactose and protein that is mainly whey (about 60:40 whey to casein)

Human milk has a higher lactose content and a lower protein content than cow's milk. Its protein is whey-predominant (about 60:40), which forms soft, easily digested curds, whereas cow's milk is casein-predominant (about 80%). Cow's milk also has a higher mineral load, which burdens the infant's kidneys.

Option by option

A. It has more protein and minerals, with casein predominating
Cow's milk, not human milk, has the higher protein and mineral content.
B. It has less lactose and more total protein than cow's milk
Human milk has lower total protein than cow's milk, not higher.
C. It has more lactose and protein that is mainly casein (about 80%)
A casein-predominant protein is the feature of cow's milk, not human milk.
D. It has more lactose and protein that is mainly whey (about 60:40 whey to casein) (correct)
Correct. Higher lactose with whey-predominant protein describes human milk.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, It has more lactose and protein that is mainly whey (about 60:40 whey to casein). Human milk has a higher lactose content and a lower protein content than cow's milk.

Why is "It has more protein and minerals, with casein predominating" not the answer?

Cow's milk, not human milk, has the higher protein and mineral content.

Why is "It has less lactose and more total protein than cow's milk" not the answer?

Human milk has lower total protein than cow's milk, not higher.

Why is "It has more lactose and protein that is mainly casein (about 80%)" not the answer?

A casein-predominant protein is the feature of cow's milk, not human milk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: human milk composition in PSM. Its protein is whey-predominant (about 60:40), which forms soft, easily digested curds, whereas cow's milk is casein-predominant (about 80%). Cow's milk also has a higher mineral load, which burdens the infant's kidneys.

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 Nutrition: human milk composition?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.