Metabolic bone disease: raloxifene: practice question

A Orthopaedics 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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Orthopaedics · Metabolic bone disease: raloxifene

Sample item

Which drug reduces the risk of vertebral fractures and invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women but increases the risk of venous thromboembolism?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Raloxifene

Raloxifene is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that acts as an agonist on bone and an antagonist on breast. It reduces vertebral fractures but not hip fractures, and it increases the risk of venous thromboembolism and hot flushes.

Option by option

  • A. Calcitriol

    Calcitriol is active vitamin D and not a selective oestrogen receptor modulator.

  • B. Teriparatide

    Teriparatide is an anabolic PTH analogue and has no breast cancer protective action.

  • C. Raloxifene (correct)

    Correct. A SERM with these bone and breast effects and a thromboembolic risk describes raloxifene.

  • D. Alendronate

    Alendronate is a bisphosphonate and has no effect on breast cancer risk.

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 Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Raloxifene. Raloxifene is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that acts as an agonist on bone and an antagonist on breast.

Why is "Calcitriol" not the answer?

Calcitriol is active vitamin D and not a selective oestrogen receptor modulator.

Why is "Teriparatide" not the answer?

Teriparatide is an anabolic PTH analogue and has no breast cancer protective action.

Why is "Alendronate" not the answer?

Alendronate is a bisphosphonate and has no effect on breast cancer risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Metabolic bone disease: raloxifene in Orthopaedics. It reduces vertebral fractures but not hip fractures, and it increases the risk of venous thromboembolism and hot flushes.

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 Metabolic bone disease: raloxifene?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics 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.