Deck 4: Diseases and Conditions of the Endocrine System

Question 1

A simple, or nontoxic, goiter results from

A) excessive iodine in the diet.
B) inadequate amounts of iodine in the diet.
C) excessive circulating cortisol levels.
D) a deficiency of glucose in the blood.

Answer 1

B
Simple, or nontoxic, goiter results from a shortage of iodine in the diet. Iodine is necessary for the synthesis of both triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄). Treatment in the early stages is simple: the administration of one drop per week of saturated solution of potassium iodide. Prevention calls for the addition of iodine to the diet; iodine-deficient areas are no longer seen in the United States due to the introduction of iodized salt.

Question 2

The syndrome caused by hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex, which results in excessive circulating cortisol levels, fatigue, muscular weakness, and changes in body appearance, is called

A) Cushing's syndrome.
B) Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
C) Addison's disease.
D) none of the above.

Answer 2

A
Cushing's syndrome is a condition of chronic hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex, which results in excessive circulating cortisol levels. Early manifestations include weight gain, hypertension, and emotional instability. These symptoms warrant a medical evaluation.

Question 3

Hyperparathyroidism or overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH) causes

A) increased breakdown of bone.
B) hypercalcemia, or increased circulating calcium.
C) cardiac arrhythmias and renal calculi.
D) all of the above.

Answer 3

D
The parathyroid glands are found on the back of the thyroid gland. They secrete PTH, the main hormone the body uses to maintain calcium homeostasis. Blood calcium levels are regulated by a feedback loop to maintain a normal calcium level. Disorders of parathyroid secretion result in serious disturbances throughout the body.

Question 4

A chronic disease of the immune system that attacks the thyroid gland and causes a goiter is called

A) acromegaly.
B) Cushing's syndrome.
C) Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
D) Addison's disease.

Question 5

Treatment of diabetes mellitus includes

A) a calculated diet and exercise.
B) insulin administration if needed.
C) blood and urine testing.
D) all of the above.

Question 6

Damage to the pituitary gland, which causes hypopituitarism, can result from

A) radiation.
B) surgical removal.
C) ischemia.
D) all of the above.

Question 7

A deficiency in the release of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone [ADH]) by the posterior pituitary gland causes

A) hypoglycemia.
B) dwarfism.
C) diabetes insipidus.
D) none of the above.

Question 8

Hypersecretion of human growth hormone (hGH) by the pituitary gland before puberty, resulting in abnormal and accelerated growth, is called

A) Addison's disease.
B) Cushing's syndrome.
C) myxedema.
D) none of the above.

Question 9

The master gland of the endocrine system is

A) the thyroid gland.
B) the pituitary gland.
C) the adrenal gland.
D) none of the above.

Question 10

Insulin and glucagon are produced by

A) the pancreas.
B) the thymus.
C) the adrenal cortex.
D) none of the above.

Question 11

Hypersecretion of hGH that causes overgrowth of the hands and feet, abnormal thickening of the bones of the face, and excessive overgrowth of soft tissue, occurring after puberty, is called

A) acromegaly.
B) gigantism.
C) cretinism.
D) all of the above.

Question 12

Insulin reaction can be caused by

A) too much insulin.
B) delayed meal or insufficient food.
C) excessive exercise.
D) any of the above.

Question 13

Insufficient secretion of PTH by the parathyroid gland is called

A) hyperpituitarism.
B) hypoparathyroidism.
C) hyperparathyroidism.
D) hypopituitarism.

Question 14

Adrenal insufficiency, with progressive destruction of the adrenal gland, is called

A) Cushing's syndrome.
B) Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
C) Addison's disease.
D) none of the above.

Question 15

Rapid heartbeat and palpitations, increased metabolism, weight loss, nervousness, excitability, profuse perspiration, excessive thirst, muscular weakness, exophthalmos, and the presence of a goiter are symptoms and signs of

A) Graves' disease.
B) primary hyperthyroidism.
C) overproduction of thyroid hormone.
D) all of the above.

Question 16

Symptoms and signs of diabetic coma include

A) hypoglycemia, dry skin, hunger, and thirst.
B) hyperglycemia, hunger, cold sweat, and trembling.
C) hyperglycemia, thirst, nausea and vomiting, and dry skin.
D) hypoglycemia, anxiety, fruity breath odor, and thirst.

Question 17

Polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia, weight loss, and fatigue are the principal signs and symptoms of

A) hypoglycemia.
B) diabetes insipidus.
C) diabetes mellitus.
D) all of the above.

Question 18

Diabetes that has its onset during pregnancy is called

A) type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
B) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
C) type 2, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
D) nonspecific diabetes.

Question 19

A congenital hypothyroid condition that causes mental and growth retardation in the infant or young child is called

A) cretinism.
B) gigantism.
C) acromegaly.
D) none of the above.

Question 20

The presence of a painless lump or nodule on the thyroid gland, along with complaints of persistent hoarseness and trouble swallowing, should raise the suggestion of

A) hyperparathyroidism.
B) hypoparathyroidism.
C) hypoglycemia.
D) cancer of the thyroid gland.

Question 21

What statement(s) is/are true about a simple goiter?

A) The patient may notice a swelling of the neck and experience difficulty swallowing.
B) Thyroid ultrasonography can confirm the presence of a thyroid nodule.
C) Both a and b are true.
D) None of the above is true.

Question 22

Dysfunction of the endocrine system results in decreased or increased secretion of hormones.

Question 23

Metabolic syndrome is

A) defined by five main components.
B) a constellation of conditions that includes obesity.
C) a collection of signs and/or conditions that may predict a risk for type 2 diabetes.
D) all of the above.

Question 24

Which statement(s) is/are true about insulin?

A) Too much insulin, a delayed meal, or not enough food can result in insulin shock.
B) A reduction in insulin or insulin resistance results in hyperglycemia.
C) The functional pancreas secretes insulin and maintains glucose levels in a precise range.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 25

Hyperparathyroidism increases breakdown of bone and excessive reabsorption of calcium into the blood (hypercalcemia).

Question 26

Dwarfism is the abnormal underdevelopment of the body, or hypopituitarism, occurring in children.

Question 27

Type 2 diabetes

A) usually requires treatment with insulin injections.
B) is seldom seen in adults.
C) is the most common form of diabetes.
D) is described by none of the above.

Question 28

More recent technology offers an alternative to multiple injection regimens for type 1 diabetics, as well as for some type 2 diabetics on insulin.

Question 29

Precocious puberty is

A) defined in boys as the onset of puberty before the age of 9.
B) defined in girls as the onset of puberty before the age of 8.
C) both a and b.
D) neither of the above.

Question 30

Addison's disease is partial or complete failure of adrenocortical function.

Question 31

Established risk factors for thyroid cancer include

A) being a relative of a thyroid cancer patient.
B) being a male, as males are more susceptible.
C) eating too much dietary salt.
D) being a young adult.

Question 32

Patients with hyperparathyroidism may be prone to fractures.

Question 33

Oral hypoglycemic agents such as DiaBeta and Glucophage can cause symptoms similar to diabetic coma.

Question 34

Early implementation and use of combination medications seems to be the most effective way to treat diabetes.

Question 35

Severe, prolonged hypoglycemia can cause irreversible brain damage.

Question 36

Patients who are bedridden or unable to drink enough water to compensate for urinary loss of water can become dangerously dehydrated.