National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Practice Test

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Study for the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations to guide you. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

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Elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase are commonly found in which condition?

Osteoblastic metastasis
Liver cirrhosis
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid arthritis

The correct answer is: Osteoblastic metastasis

Elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase are primarily associated with conditions involving increased bone turnover or liver dysfunction. In the context of osteoblastic metastasis, the body responds to the presence of cancer cells in the bone by increasing osteoblastic activity, which is the formation of new bone. This heightened activity leads to an increase in alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in bone mineralization and is produced by osteoblasts. While liver cirrhosis can also cause elevated alkaline phosphatase levels due to cholestasis and impaired liver function, the specific association in osteoblastic metastasis highlights the importance of understanding the underlying condition resulting in elevated enzyme levels. Osteoporosis, on the other hand, is characterized by decreased bone formation and would not lead to elevated alkaline phosphatase. Rheumatoid arthritis can show some increase in alkaline phosphatase due to inflammatory processes in the bones, but it is less pronounced compared to the robust increase seen in conditions like osteoblastic metastasis. Thus, elevated alkaline phosphatase is most notably linked with osteoblastic activity seen in metastatic bone disease.