Question 1

A student is driving to school when another driver nearly hits her. Her heart begins beating harder and faster as she becomes aroused and scared. Which of the following stages of the general adaptation syndrome is she experiencing?

A) Alarm stage
B) Stage of resistance
C) Adaptation
D) Exhaustion

Alarm stage

Accepted Answer

The alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome is characterized by the body's immediate response to stress, including the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. The student's physiological response to the near-accident, including her increased heart rate, is consistent with the alarm stage.

Question 2

Exhaustion occurs if stress continues and _____ is not successful.&#10;A) fight or flight&#10;B) alarm&#10;C) adaptation&#10;D) arousal

Accepted Answer

Exhaustion occurs when stress continues beyond the body's ability to adapt or cope. Options A, B, and D are stages of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) which describes the body's response to stress, but exhaustion is the third and final stage of GAS that occurs when the body's resources are depleted and unable to cope with the ongoing stress.

Question 3

Stress-induced catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla may result in:&#10;A) decreased blood flow to the brain.&#10;B) elevated blood pressure.&#10;C) increased glycogen synthesis in the liver.&#10;D) decreased muscle contraction resulting from energy depletion.

Accepted Answer

Stress-induced catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine. These hormones cause an increase in heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure, which help the body respond to stress.

Question 4

A 10-year-old male was physically abused for the previous 4 years. He reports feeling stressed all the time and frequently gets ill. Which of the following hormones is most likely suppressed in this child?

A) Endorphins
B) Growth hormone
C) Prolactin
D) Cortisol

Accepted Answer

Increased levels of growth hormone are associated with psychological stimuli associated with stress and,thus,increase the chance of becoming ill.
Increased levels of growth hormone are associated with psychological stimuli associated with stress; endorphins do not affect this.
Increased levels of growth hormone are associated with psychological stimuli associated with stress; prolactin does not affect this.
Increased levels of growth hormone are associated with psychological stimuli associated with stress; cortisol does not affect this.

Question 5

A 35-year-old male is diagnosed with a hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla. He experiences elevated blood pressure, pupil dilation, "goose bumps," and excessive sweating of the armpits and hands. Which of the following hormones is the predominant one released by the tumor?

A) Dopamine
B) Epinephrine
C) Norepinephrine
D) Cortisol

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described in the case are classic for a hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla, also known as a pheochromocytoma. This type of tumor typically causes excessive secretion of both epinephrine and norepinephrine, but norepinephrine is often the predominant hormone released. Norepinephrine is responsible for the elevated blood pressure, pupil dilation, and "goose bumps" (piloerection), while the excessive sweating is caused by both epinephrine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is also produced in the adrenal medulla, but in much lower quantities than epinephrine and norepinephrine. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal cortex and is not typically associated with these types of symptoms.

Question 6

Stress-induced stimulation of the adrenal cortex causes it to secrete:&#10;A) estrogen.&#10;B) cortisol.&#10;C) parathyroid hormone.&#10;D) adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH).

Accepted Answer

When the adrenal cortex is stimulated by stress, it secretes cortisol. Estrogen is secreted by the ovaries, parathyroid hormone is secreted by the parathyroid gland, and ACTH is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal cortex.

Question 7

A 50-year-old female is diagnosed with a hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal cortex. Which of the following would be expected?&#10;A) Decreased blood pressure&#10;B) Increased lipogenesis of face and trunk&#10;C) Increased lipogenesis of extremities&#10;D) Increased sex hormone secretion

Accepted Answer

A hormone-secreting tumor of the adrenal cortex, such as a cortisol-secreting tumor, can lead to Cushing's syndrome, which is characterized by increased lipogenesis in the face and trunk, leading to features like a "moon face" and "buffalo hump."

Question 8

Which of the following hormones activates both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors?&#10;A) Cortisol&#10;B) Prolactin&#10;C) Epinephrine&#10;D) Somatotropin

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine activates both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. Cortisol primarily has glucocorticoid activity, while prolactin and somatotropin are not involved in activation of adrenergic receptors.

Question 9

The stress-age syndrome includes which of the following?&#10;A) Decreased cortisol secretion&#10;B) Increased thyroxine&#10;C) Immunodepression&#10;D) Decreased catecholamine secretion

Accepted Answer

The stress-age syndrome involves immunodepression, which is the suppression of the immune system that can occur as a result of chronic stress. The other options listed, such as decreased cortisol secretion and decreased catecholamine secretion, are not typical of the stress-age syndrome. In fact, chronic stress is more likely to lead to increased cortisol and catecholamine secretion over time. Increased thyroxine could potentially be related to chronic stress, but it is not commonly associated with the stress-age syndrome specifically.

Question 10

A student arrives at school to find that he has an exam for which he is unprepared. Which of the following would be expected?&#10;A) Decreased lipolysis&#10;B) Bronchoconstriction&#10;C) Increased insulin release&#10;D) Increased glucagon release

Accepted Answer

The body's response to stress, such as the stress of facing an unprepared exam, involves the release of glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels to provide energy for the "fight or flight" response. Lipolysis may actually increase to provide additional energy, and bronchoconstriction is not directly related to this stress response. Increased insulin release would be counterproductive in this situation as insulin promotes glucose uptake by cells, which would lower blood sugar levels when the body needs energy.

Question 11

Selye reported several structural changes in rats exposed to repeated stressors. These included:&#10;A) hypertrophy of the thymus gland.&#10;B) ulceration in the gastrointestinal system.&#10;C) atrophy of the cortex in the adrenal gland.&#10;D) fight or flight response.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Selye reported several structural changes in rats...

Question 12

Coping is best defined as the process of:&#10;A) adjusting to disease.&#10;B) preventing psychologic distress.&#10;C) mediating anger.&#10;D) managing stressful challenges.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Coping is best defined as the process...

Question 13

A 10-year-old female is arriving at a national spelling bee contest. Her heart starts beating faster and harder and she begins to sweat. Which of the following is she experiencing?&#10;A) Anticipatory response&#10;B) Homeostasis&#10;C) Reactive response&#10;D) Exhaustion stage

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 10-year-old female is arriving at a...

Question 14

Effects of elevated $\beta$-endorphins include:&#10;A) peripheral vasoconstriction.&#10;B) hyperglycemia.&#10;C) pain inhibition.&#10;D) decreased immune cell activity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Effects of elevated $\beta$-endorphins include:&#10;A) peripheral vasoconstriction.&#10;B)...

Question 15

Stress induces sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal medulla. This causes the secretion of catecholamines, which include:&#10;A) epinephrine and aldosterone.&#10;B) norepinephrine and cortisol.&#10;C) epinephrine and norepinephrine.&#10;D) cortisol and aldosterone.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Stress induces sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal...

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding stress?&#10;A) It worsens but does not cause disease.&#10;B) It can be viewed as transactional.&#10;C) It is a psychologic rather than biologic event.&#10;D) It is a passive event.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true regarding...

Question 17

A 30-year-old male develops poison ivy after mowing the lawn near the woods. His physician prescribes a synthetic cortisol. How will the cortisol relieve his symptoms?&#10;A) Suppressing Th1 cell activity&#10;B) Increasing cytokine secretion&#10;C) Increasing natural killer cell activity&#10;D) Increasing Th2 activity

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 30-year-old male develops poison ivy after...

Deck 8: Stress and Disease