Gastrointestinal: fat digestion after cholecystectomy: 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: fat digestion after cholecystectomy

Sample item

Why do most patients digest fat adequately after cholecystectomy?

AThe ileum starts to store bileBThe pancreas takes over bile acid synthesisCFat digestion no longer needs bile acidsDThe liver continues to deliver bile to the duodenum, and the bile acid pool cycles more often

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. The liver continues to deliver bile to the duodenum, and the bile acid pool cycles more often

The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile, but hepatic bile continues to flow into the duodenum through the common bile duct. The bile acid pool recirculates more times per meal, so micelle formation remains adequate in most people.

Option by option

A. The ileum starts to store bile
The ileum absorbs bile salts and does not store them.
B. The pancreas takes over bile acid synthesis
The pancreas does not synthesise bile acids.
C. Fat digestion no longer needs bile acids
Bile acids are still needed for fat emulsification and micelle formation.
D. The liver continues to deliver bile to the duodenum, and the bile acid pool cycles more often (correct)
Correct. Continuous hepatic bile flow and faster recirculation compensate for loss of storage.

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.

Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, The liver continues to deliver bile to the duodenum, and the bile acid pool cycles more often. The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile, but hepatic bile continues to flow into the duodenum through the common bile duct.

Why is "The ileum starts to store bile" not the answer?

The ileum absorbs bile salts and does not store them.

Why is "The pancreas takes over bile acid synthesis" not the answer?

The pancreas does not synthesise bile acids.

Why is "Fat digestion no longer needs bile acids" not the answer?

Bile acids are still needed for fat emulsification and micelle formation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gastrointestinal: fat digestion after cholecystectomy in Physiology. The bile acid pool recirculates more times per meal, so micelle formation remains adequate in most people.

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: fat digestion after cholecystectomy?

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.