Deck 10: Endocrine Function

Question 1

Which of the following is a distinction between an endocrine and an exocrine gland?

A) Exocrine gland hormones are more potent.
B) Endocrine glands secrete substances into a duct.
C) Endocrine glands secrete substances into the bloodstream.
D) Exocrine glands produce hormones, whereas endocrine glands do not.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following statements characterizes hormone regulation?

A) Water soluble hormones are bound to a carrier protein.
B) Hormones can cause effects in both free and bound forms.
C) If hormone levels are low through upregulation, the cell can increase the number of receptors.
D) Target organs can react to multiple hormone signals.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Posterior pituitary hormones:

A) travel to the internal jugular veins and then the peripheral circulation.
B) are regulated by the neurotransmitter glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
C) have an indirect effect on peripheral tissue.
D) include prolactin and growth hormone.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

When serum glucose levels increase, what are the normal physiologic responses?

A) Glucagon release is inhibited.
B) Insulin is released.
C) Amylin release is inhibited.
D) Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are released.
E) Glucagon release is inhibited, and insulin is released.

Question 5

__________ is the protein that is bound to the thyroid hormone.

A) Thyroglobulin
B) Thyrotropin
C) Thyroxine
D) Triiodothyronine

Question 6

A nurse is working night shift and is experiencing episodes of insomnia and excessive sleepiness. These symptoms can be partly explained by alterations in the hormone cortisol, which is released in:

A) a circadian pattern (i.e., diurnal pattern).
B) response to sleep needs.
C) a negative feedback manner.
D) a continuous steady state throughout the day.

Question 7

A 30-year-old woman is complaining of galactorrhea and oligo-amenorrhea. Which of the following diagnostic test findings supports that a pituitary problem is leading to the symptoms described by this woman?

A) Decreased serum prolactin levels
B) Prolactinoma on a magnetic resonance imaging
C) Low thyroid-stimulating hormone
D) Normal prolactin inhibitor factor

Question 8

A 50-year-old man is complaining of paresthesias in his hands and feet. He has noted over the years that his hands have gotten larger. On physical exam, he is noted to have a very deep voice, and his forehead and jaw protrude. His hands and feet are large. Acromegaly is suspected. What other manifestation could occur with acromegaly that is one of the primary causes of death?

A) Cardiomyopathy
B) Hyperhidrosis
C) Kyphosis
D) Impaired glucose tolerance

Question 9

A 30-year-old man who sustained a head injury from a motorcycle accident is in the intensive care unit. His computerized tomography scan revealed mild cerebral edema. On the second day in the unit, he began having large urine output. What other manifestations would support a diagnosis of diabetes insipidus?

A) A low plasma osmolality
B) A high urine osmolality
C) A high plasma osmolality
D) Hyponatremia

Question 10

Type 1 diabetes is best described as:

A) a decrease in glucagon secretion from cells of the pancreas.
B) a resistance to insulin by insulin-sensitive tissue.
C) an autoimmune-mediated specific loss of beta cells in the pancreatic islets.
D) compensatory hyperinsulinemia and gradual beta cell dysfunction.

Question 11

Hyperinsulinemia occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus because of:

A) lack of glucose use and increased glucose production.
B) beta cell destruction.
C) glucagon inhibition.
D) the ability of residual beta cells to produce insulin.

Question 12

Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus exhibit which of the following symptoms?

A) Oliguria
B) Edema
C) Vomiting
D) Thirst

Question 13

A significant number of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus are obese. How does obesity contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus?

A) Adipokines suppresses glucagon.
B) Amylin increases glucose uptake
C) High plasma-free fatty acids alter glucose uptake.
D) Increased adiponectin causes inflammation.

Question 14

A woman who is pregnant was just diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Which of the following statements reflects accurate teaching about gestational diabetes?

A) No therapy is needed in the first trimester as blood sugars will naturally drop.
B) After delivery, even if your sugar is controlled, you are still at risk for developing diabetes.
C) After the delivery, you will likely never need insulin again.
D) You will need to take pills to lower your blood sugar because insulin shots are dangerous for the baby.

Question 15

A woman with diabetes mellitus is complaining of blurry vision at times. Her blood sugar has been poorly controlled. How is the blurry vision and high blood sugar related?

A) The shape and flexibility of the lens changes with high blood sugar.
B) The muscles of the eye become weak with high blood sugar.
C) Cataracts develop earlier in those with uncontrolled blood sugar.
D) The nerves of the eye deteriorate with uncontrolled blood sugar.

Question 16

A person with type 1 diabetes experiences hunger, lightheadedness, tachycardia, pallor, headache, and confusion. The most likely cause of these symptoms is:

A) hypoglycemia due to worsening beta cell function.
B) hypoglycemia caused by increased exercise.
C) the administration of insulin before bedtime and then eating a snack.
D) hyperglycemia caused by incorrect insulin administration.

Question 17

Which of the following lab values are consistent with a diagnosis of diabetes?

A) Fasting plasma glucose of 130 mg/dL
B) HgA1c of 6.2%
C) Random plasma glucose of 114 mg/dL
D) Postprandial glucose of 120 mg/dL

Question 18

One of the first line medications to prescribe in type 2 diabetes mellitus are biguanides (e.g., metformin). This medication reduces blood sugar primarily by:

A) stimulating insulin release.
B) decreasing glucose reabsorption in the kidneys.
C) delaying gastric emptying.
D) decreasing hepatic glucose output.

Question 19

Complications of obesity such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disorders are attributed to:

A) low levels of adiponectin resulting in inflammation.
B) low-grade chronic inflammation due to white fat.
C) high levels of cholecystokinin in white fat.
D) low levels of leptin and resistin.

Question 20

Fat distribution confers the highest risk for more complications related to obesity in the:

A) buttocks.
B) thighs.
C) abdomen.
D) back.

Question 21

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto's, which is a result of:

A) autoimmune destruction of the gland.
B) thyroid cancer.
C) thyroid nodules.
D) ectopic hormone production.

Question 22

A woman who is 3 months postpartum is feeling tired, becoming more constipated, and feeling cold a lot. She attributed this to having a newborn and breastfeeding. She said that at her first postpartum visit she was told her thyroid was overactive. A thyroid profile is drawn. What results are expected that would explain her symptoms?

A) Low thyroid-stimulating hormone
B) High thyroid-stimulating hormone
C) Negative anti-thyroperoxidase immunoglobulin
D) High T3 and T4

Question 23

An incoherent female patient with a history of hypothyroidism is brought to the emergency department by the rescue squad. Physical and laboratory findings reveal hypothermia, hypoventilation, respiratory acidosis, bradycardia, hypotension, and nonpitting edema of the face and pretibial area. Knowing that these findings suggest severe hypothyroidism, emergency action is taken to prevent the potential complication of:

A) Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
B) Cushing syndrome.
C) myxedema coma.
D) thyroid storm.

Question 24

A 50-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus is on an intensified insulin regimen with consistent fasting blood glucose levels between 90 mg/dL and 100 mg/dL, postprandial blood glucose levels below 200 mg/dL, and a hemoglobin A1c level of 5.5%. What is the interpretation of these findings?

A) Signs of insulin resistance
B) Good control of blood glucose
C) Increased risk for developing ketoacidosis
D) Increased risk for developing hyperglycemia

Question 25

A nurse practitioner is reviewing the lab values of a patient who was just diagnosed with a pathologic fracture. The lab reveals a high calcium level and low phosphate. This could indicate:

A) hypoparathyroidism.
B) hyperparathyroidism.
C) hyperaldosteronism.
D) hypo-aldosteronism.

Question 26

Which of the following statements best characterizes pheochromocytoma?

A) Catecholamines are usually suppressed.
B) There is an inadequate secretion of mineralocorticoids and corticoid synthesis.
C) The adrenal medulla is hyperfunctioning.
D) The adrenal medulla is hypofunctioning.