Gastrointestinal: heartburn in pregnancy: 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.

Try it

Physiology · Gastrointestinal: heartburn in pregnancy

Sample item

A woman in the third trimester of pregnancy has frequent heartburn on lying down. Which hormonal effect contributes most to her symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Progesterone relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter smooth muscle

Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, lowering lower oesophageal sphincter tone, and the enlarging uterus raises intra-abdominal pressure. Together these promote gastro-oesophageal reflux. Acid hypersecretion is not the cause.

Option by option

  • A. Progesterone relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter smooth muscle (correct)

    Correct. A lower sphincter pressure and higher abdominal pressure favour reflux.

  • B. Oestrogen increases the strength of oesophageal peristalsis

    Oestrogen does not strengthen peristalsis to a degree that prevents reflux.

  • C. Reduced prolactin secretion lowers gastric pH

    Prolactin has no role in gastric pH.

  • D. Oestrogen-driven hypersecretion of gastric acid

    Gastric acid secretion tends to be reduced, not raised, in pregnancy.

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.

More Physiology questions

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, Progesterone relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter smooth muscle. Progesterone relaxes smooth muscle throughout the body, lowering lower oesophageal sphincter tone, and the enlarging uterus raises intra-abdominal pressure.

Why is "Oestrogen increases the strength of oesophageal peristalsis" not the answer?

Oestrogen does not strengthen peristalsis to a degree that prevents reflux.

Why is "Reduced prolactin secretion lowers gastric pH" not the answer?

Prolactin has no role in gastric pH.

Why is "Oestrogen-driven hypersecretion of gastric acid" not the answer?

Gastric acid secretion tends to be reduced, not raised, in pregnancy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal: heartburn in pregnancy in Physiology. Together these promote gastro-oesophageal reflux. Acid hypersecretion is not the cause.

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 Gastrointestinal: heartburn in pregnancy?

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.