Question 1

Through what mechanism does the endocrine system help maintain equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

The endocrine system controls and communicates by distributing potent hormones throughout the body.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient who is having difficulty maintaining a normal blood sugar level.In the healthy body,how is a normal blood glucose level is maintained?

Accepted Answer

A normal blood glucose level is maintained by the insulin-to-glucagon ratio.When the blood glucose level is high,insulin is released and glucagon is inhibited.When blood glucose levels are low,glucagon rather than insulin is released.

Question 3

Which statement best describes the effects of somatostatin?

Accepted Answer

Somatostatin decreases glucagon secretion,and in high quantities,it decreases insulin release.Hyperglycemia stimulates the activity of the delta cells.It is theorized that the release of insulin enables somatostatin to control beta-cell activity.Somatostatin may be involved in the regulation of the postprandial influx of glucose into cells.

Question 4

A patient has been admitted post thyroidectomy.The nurse knows that adequate thyroid function is dependent on which factor?

Accepted Answer

Functioning of the thyroid gland depends on many factors that respond to a delicate hormonal interplay; the hypothalamus,anterior pituitary,dietary intake of iodine,and circulating protein bodies in the blood all affect thyroid gland function.

Question 5

A patient is receiving insulin due to the development of steroid-induced hyperglycemia.In addition to lowering blood glucose levels,what other physiologic effect may occur when insulin is administered?

Accepted Answer

Insulin is a potent anabolic hormone that produces hypoglycemia and augments the transport of potassium into the cells.With potassium driven into the cells,serum potassium may decrease,resulting in hypokalemia.

Question 6

The release of hormones by the pituitary gland is under the control which part of the brain?

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland communicates with the hypothalamus by means of a vascular network.

Question 7

A patient with thyrotoxicosis has been admitted.What effect of increased T₃ and T₄ levels might the nurse expect to see in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Both thyroid hormones impact the rate at which oxygen is used in the body and thus affect all metabolic processes in the body.

Question 8

A patient is brought to the hospital with a major stab wound.After excessive blood loss,the nurse should anticipate what change in the patient's serum osmolality?

Accepted Answer

With hemorrhage the serum osmolality increases,which stimulates the release of antidiuretic hormone.

Question 9

What hormone do the alpha cells of the pancreas secrete?

Accepted Answer

Alpha cells secrete glucagon; beta cells secrete insulin; delta cells secrete somatostatin,and pancreatic polypeptide cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide hormone.

Question 10

Decreased insulin and increased glucagon result in what physiologic process?

Accepted Answer

Decreased insulin and increased glucagon result in increased glycogenolysis.

Question 11

A patient is admitted with a traumatic head injury.The patient starts to exhibit signs of a decrease in antidiuretic hormone (ADH).What is the function of ADH?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone has been identified as the single most important hormone responsible for regulating fluid balance within the body.

Question 12

A patient has been admitted after a craniotomy.The patient starts to exhibit changes in the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).The nurse knows that ADH works primarily affects which organ?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone has two functions: (1)By means of the V1 receptors,it constricts smooth muscles within the arterial wall,and (2)through V2 receptors,it regulates fluid balance by altering the permeability of the kidney tubule to water.

Question 13

Which anatomic structure has influence over all areas of body functioning?

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus gland is known as the "master gland" because of the influence it has over all areas of body functioning.The hypothalamus controls pituitary gland action and response by secreting substances called release-inhibiting factors.

Question 14

The patient has been admitted from a skilled nursing facility with urinary sepsis.The patient has severe muscle wasting.What is the process by which fat and protein are converted to glucose for fuel?

Accepted Answer

For long-term energy needs,glucagon stimulates glucose release through the more complex process of gluconeogenesis.In gluconeogenesis,fat and protein nutrients are rapidly broken down into end products that are then changed into glucose.

Question 15

A patient has been admitted with a brain tumor.The patient starts to exhibit signs of an increase in antidiuretic hormone (ADH).When large amounts of ADH are released,the nurse should anticipate what change in the patient's sodium levels?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)also contributes to control of the sodium level in the extracellular fluid by control of plasma osmolality.The sodium ion concentration in the plasma largely determines plasma osmolality.Osmoreceptors,located in the hypothalamus,are sensitive to changes in the circulating plasma osmolality.Because ADH causes the patient to retain free water,the patient will have a dilutional hyponatremia.

Question 16

What hormone does the adrenal cortex secrete to maintain homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol.It regulates fluid homeostasis by means of aldosterone,and it secretes androgens.

Question 17

A patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN).During rounds the dietitian states that she believes the patient is getting too much glucose.Identify one area in which excess glucose is stored as glycogen.

Accepted Answer

Excess glucose in the form of glycogen is stored in the hepatic and muscle cells for use as fuel at a later time.

Question 18

A patient is admitted with a traumatic head injury.The patient starts to exhibit signs of a decrease in antidiuretic hormone (ADH).Which symptom would alert the nurse to this problem?

Accepted Answer

A low sodium level is associated with a low serum osmolality (hypoosmolar state).When sodium levels rise,plasma osmolality increases (hyperosmolar state).Antidiuretic hormone is then released to stimulate water resorption at the nephron to maintain sodium balance.This process decreases water loss from the body and subsequently concentrates and reduces urine volume.Fluid conserved in this manner is returned to the circulating plasma,where it dilutes the concentration (osmolality)of plasma.

Question 19

Glucagon release is stimulated by which physiologic factor?

Accepted Answer

Glucagon release from the pancreas is stimulated by low blood glucose levels,starvation,exercise,or stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 20

A patient with thyrotoxicosis has been admitted.The nurse knows that when levels of T₃ and T₄ are elevated,the pituitary gland inhibits what hormone?

Accepted Answer

In response to decreased circulating levels of T₃ and T₄,the hypothalamus releases thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH).TRH activates thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)in the anterior pituitary,and TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to manufacture and release the thyroid hormones T₃ and T₄ in the presence of iodine.

Quiz 30: Endocrine Anatomy and Physiology