In which of the following physiological states would you expect a NEGATIVE nitrogen balance?

• A Late pregnancy
• B Recovery phase of a febrile illness
• C Adolescent growth spurt
• D Convalescence after major surgery ✓

Explanation

Negative nitrogen balance occurs when nitrogen losses exceed intake, as in sepsis, major trauma, surgery, burns, and fever, driven by catabolic cytokines and cortisol increasing proteolysis. Growth, pregnancy, and recovery or convalescence are anabolic states with positive nitrogen balance because tissue accretion incorporates dietary nitrogen, which kills options A, C, and B. Note the trap: early febrile illness is catabolic, but the recovery phase described here is anabolic.

Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 31st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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