Gastrointestinal: autoimmune gastritis: 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: autoimmune gastritis

Sample item

A 55-year-old woman has megaloblastic anaemia, achlorhydria and antiparietal cell antibodies. Which pattern of gastric markers is expected?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. High serum gastrin and low pepsinogen I

Autoimmune destruction of the body of the stomach removes parietal cells (acid and intrinsic factor) and chief cells (pepsinogen). Loss of acid removes the negative feedback on antral G cells, so gastrin is high. Vitamin B12 malabsorption follows.

Option by option

  • A. Low serum gastrin and high pepsinogen I

    In body gastritis gastrin does not fall because the antrum is spared.

  • B. Low gastrin and low pepsinogen I

    Gastrin is raised because acid is low.

  • C. High gastrin and high pepsinogen I

    Pepsinogen I is secreted by chief cells, which are lost in this disease.

  • D. High serum gastrin and low pepsinogen I (correct)

    Correct. Absent acid disinhibits G cells, and chief cell loss lowers pepsinogen I.

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 D, High serum gastrin and low pepsinogen I. Autoimmune destruction of the body of the stomach removes parietal cells (acid and intrinsic factor) and chief cells (pepsinogen).

Why is "Low serum gastrin and high pepsinogen I" not the answer?

In body gastritis gastrin does not fall because the antrum is spared.

Why is "Low gastrin and low pepsinogen I" not the answer?

Gastrin is raised because acid is low.

Why is "High gastrin and high pepsinogen I" not the answer?

Pepsinogen I is secreted by chief cells, which are lost in this disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal: autoimmune gastritis in Physiology. Loss of acid removes the negative feedback on antral G cells, so gastrin is high. Vitamin B12 malabsorption follows.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: autoimmune gastritis?

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.