A man has been taking excessive amounts of antacids for heartburn. These tablets are very alkaline. Which innate defense mechanism might be altered by his actions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pH of the stomach is typically very acidic (around 2) due to the production of hydrochloric acid. Antacids work by neutralizing this acid and increasing the pH of the stomach, which can alter the innate defense mechanism of killing pathogens in the stomach via acid exposure.

Answer: A, B, D, E are not affected by antacids, as they are not directly related to the pH of the stomach.

A Man Has Been Taking Excessive Amounts of Antacids for Heartburn