Cell injury and adaptation: markers of myocyte necrosis: practice question

A Pathology 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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Pathology · Cell injury and adaptation: markers of myocyte necrosis

Sample item

Six hours after chest pain, a rise in a serum protein indicates irreversible myocyte injury. What is the pathological basis for this rise?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Loss of membrane integrity allowing intracellular proteins to leak out

Troponins and CK-MB are normally held inside myocytes. When irreversible injury breaks the plasma membrane, they leak into the circulation, so their rise reflects necrosis. Reversible injury does not release them to a significant extent.

Option by option

  • A. Secretion in response to myocardial stretch

    Stretch releases natriuretic peptides, not troponins.

  • B. Loss of membrane integrity allowing intracellular proteins to leak out (correct)

    Correct. Membrane breakdown in necrotic myocytes lets proteins leak into blood.

  • C. Increased synthesis by regenerating myocytes

    Cardiac myocytes do not regenerate quickly enough to produce this rise.

  • D. Release from platelets during clot formation

    Platelets do not release cardiac-specific proteins.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Loss of membrane integrity allowing intracellular proteins to leak out. Troponins and CK-MB are normally held inside myocytes.

Why is "Secretion in response to myocardial stretch" not the answer?

Stretch releases natriuretic peptides, not troponins.

Why is "Increased synthesis by regenerating myocytes" not the answer?

Cardiac myocytes do not regenerate quickly enough to produce this rise.

Why is "Release from platelets during clot formation" not the answer?

Platelets do not release cardiac-specific proteins.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury and adaptation: markers of myocyte necrosis in Pathology. When irreversible injury breaks the plasma membrane, they leak into the circulation, so their rise reflects necrosis. Reversible injury does not release them to a significant extent.

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 Cell injury and adaptation: markers of myocyte necrosis?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology 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.