Clinical biochemistry: faecal elastase: 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 · Clinical biochemistry: faecal elastase

Sample item

A man with chronic alcohol use has weight loss and loose pale stools. Which stool test is a simple, non-invasive marker of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and is not affected by oral enzyme supplements?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Faecal elastase-1

Elastase-1 is a pancreatic protease that passes through the gut with little degradation, and a low faecal level indicates reduced pancreatic secretion. Because it is human-specific, porcine enzyme supplements do not interfere. Faecal calprotectin is a marker of intestinal inflammation.

Option by option

  • A. Stool pH

    Stool pH is low in carbohydrate malabsorption and is not specific for pancreatic insufficiency.

  • B. Faecal occult blood

    Occult blood detects gastrointestinal bleeding and not pancreatic function.

  • C. Faecal calprotectin

    Faecal calprotectin indicates neutrophilic inflammation, as in inflammatory bowel disease.

  • D. Faecal elastase-1 (correct)

    Correct. Low faecal elastase-1 reflects pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and is unaffected by supplements.

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 D, Faecal elastase-1. Elastase-1 is a pancreatic protease that passes through the gut with little degradation, and a low faecal level indicates reduced pancreatic secretion.

Why is "Stool pH" not the answer?

Stool pH is low in carbohydrate malabsorption and is not specific for pancreatic insufficiency.

Why is "Faecal occult blood" not the answer?

Occult blood detects gastrointestinal bleeding and not pancreatic function.

Why is "Faecal calprotectin" not the answer?

Faecal calprotectin indicates neutrophilic inflammation, as in inflammatory bowel disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Clinical biochemistry: faecal elastase in Biochemistry. Because it is human-specific, porcine enzyme supplements do not interfere. Faecal calprotectin is a marker of intestinal inflammation.

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 Clinical biochemistry: faecal elastase?

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.