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Phys 78

front 1

During nephrectomy exposure, the surgeon identifies endocrine glands at the ___ pole of each kidney.
A. Superior pole
B. Inferior pole
C. Medial hilum
D. Lateral surface

back 1

A. Superior pole

front 2

Each adrenal gland is composed of:
A. Capsule and cortex
B. Medulla only
C. Cortex only
D. Adrenal cortex and medulla

back 2

D. Adrenal cortex and medulla

front 3

A patient with episodic palpitations has excess epinephrine/norepinephrine. Which adrenal region produces these?
A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Adrenal medulla
C. Zona fasciculata
D. Zona reticularis

back 3

B. Adrenal medulla

front 4

A CT shows intact medulla but damaged cortex. Which hormone class is most reduced?
A. Catecholamines
B. Peptide hormones
C. Corticosteroids
D. Thyroid hormones

back 4

C. Corticosteroids

front 5

Which pair correctly lists the two major adrenocortical hormone classes?
A. Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids
B. Catecholamines and steroids
C. Aldosterone and catecholamines
D. Insulin and glucagon

back 5

A. Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids

front 6

The adrenal cortex also secretes small amounts of hormones with testosterone-like effects. These are:
A. Estrogenic hormones
B. Thyroid hormones
C. Progestin hormones
D. Androgenic hormones

back 6

D. Androgenic hormones

front 7

A patient with hyperkalemia needs rapid electrolyte regulation. Which adrenocortical class chiefly regulates ECF Na+ and K+?
A. Glucocorticoids
B. Mineralocorticoids
C. Androgens
D. Estrogens

back 7

B. Mineralocorticoids

front 8

A patient develops fasting hyperglycemia and muscle wasting patterns. Which hormone class most directly raises blood glucose and alters protein/fat metabolism?
A. Mineralocorticoids
B. Catecholamines
C. Glucocorticoids
D. Androgenic hormones

back 8

C. Glucocorticoids

front 9

The principal mineralocorticoid and principal glucocorticoid, respectively, are:
A. Cortisol, aldosterone
B. DHEA, cortisol
C. Aldosterone, DHEA
D. Aldosterone, cortisol

back 9

D. Aldosterone, cortisol

front 10

A thin cell layer just beneath the adrenal capsule (≈15% cortex) secretes:
A. Zona glomerulosa
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona reticularis
D. Adrenal medulla

back 10

A. Zona glomerulosa

front 11

A patient on an ACE inhibitor has reduced signaling. Aldosterone secretion is normally stimulated by:
A. ACTH and cortisol
B. Sodium and glucose
C. Angiotensin II and potassium
D. Epinephrine and norepinephrine

back 11

C. Angiotensin II and potassium

front 12

The middle, widest adrenal cortical zone (≈75% cortex) is:
A. Zona reticularis
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona glomerulosa
D. Adrenal medulla

back 12

B. Zona fasciculata

front 13

A patient with high ACTH has increased cortisol plus adrenal androgens/estrogens. Which zone produces this trio?
A. Zona reticularis
B. Zona glomerulosa
C. Adrenal medulla
D. Zona fasciculata

back 13

D. Zona fasciculata

front 14

Secretion of cortisol, adrenal androgens, and estrogens is primarily controlled by:
A. Potassium
B. Angiotensin II
C. ACTH
D. Sodium

back 14

C. ACTH

front 15

The inner zone of the adrenal cortex is the:
A. Zona fasciculata
B. Zona reticularis
C. Zona glomerulosa
D. Adrenal medulla

back 15

B. Zona reticularis

front 16

A steroid profile shows high DHEA and androstenedione with small estrogen output. Which zone fits best?
A. Zona reticularis
B. Zona fasciculata
C. Zona glomerulosa
D. Adrenal medulla

back 16

A. Zona reticularis

front 17

LDL receptors on adrenocortical membranes cluster in specialized structures called:
A. Coated pits
B. Tight junctions
C. Desmosomes
D. Gap junctions

back 17

A. Coated pits

front 18

After LDL binds, coated pits are internalized by:
A. Exocytosis
B. Endocytosis
C. Diffusion
D. Oxidation

back 18

B. Endocytosis

front 19

ACTH increases adrenal steroid synthesis partly by:
A. Blocking LDL receptor recycling
B. Decreasing LDL receptor number
C. Increasing LDL receptors and enzymes
D. Inhibiting cholesterol release from LDL

back 19

C. Increasing LDL receptors and enzymes

front 20

After cholesterol enters an adrenocortical cell, it is delivered to mitochondria and cleaved by:
A. Cholesterol desmolase
B. 11β-hydroxylase
C. Aldosterone synthase
D. 17α-hydroxylase

back 20

A. Cholesterol desmolase

front 21

Cholesterol → pregnenolone via cholesterol desmolase is the:
A. Terminal step
B. Rate-limiting step
C. Coupling step
D. Storage step

back 21

B. Rate-limiting step

front 22

Steps of adrenal cortical steroid synthesis occur mainly in:
A. Nucleus and Golgi
B. Cytosol only
C. Mitochondria and ER
D. Lysosomes only

back 22

C. Mitochondria and ER

front 23

A steroid is 1/30 as potent as aldosterone and is secreted in very small quantities:
A. Cortisol
B. Deoxycorticosterone
C. Corticosterone
D. 9α-fluorocortisol

back 23

B. Deoxycorticosterone

front 24

A hormone with slight mineralocorticoid activity is:
A. Corticosterone
B. Prednisone
C. Dexamethasone
D. Cortisone

back 24

A. Corticosterone

front 25

A synthetic steroid slightly more potent than aldosterone is:
A. Cortisol
B. 9α-fluorocortisol
C. Deoxycorticosterone
D. Corticosterone

back 25

B. 9α-fluorocortisol

front 26

Very slight mineralocorticoid activity but secreted in large quantity:
A. Aldosterone
B. Deoxycorticosterone
C. Cortisol
D. 9α-fluorocortisol

back 26

C. Cortisol

front 27

The glucocorticoid responsible for ~95% of total glucocorticoid activity is:
A. Cortisol
B. Corticosterone
C. Cortisone
D. Prednisone

back 27

A. Cortisol

front 28

About 4% of glucocorticoid activity, much less potent than cortisol:
A. Dexamethasone
B. Cortisone
C. Corticosterone
D. Methylprednisone

back 28

C. Corticosterone

front 29

A steroid almost as potent as cortisol is:
A. Cortisone
B. Prednisone
C. Dexamethasone
D. Aldosterone

back 29

A. Cortisone

front 30

A synthetic steroid ~4 times as potent as cortisol is:
A. Prednisone
B. Methylprednisone
C. Dexamethasone
D. Corticosterone

back 30

A. Prednisone

front 31

A synthetic steroid ~5 times as potent as cortisol is:
A. Prednisone
B. Dexamethasone
C. Methylprednisone
D. Cortisone

back 31

C. Methylprednisone

front 32

A synthetic steroid ~30 times as potent as cortisol is:
A. Methylprednisone
B. Dexamethasone
C. Prednisone
D. Cortisone

back 32

B. Dexamethasone

front 33

Adrenocortical hormones circulate bound primarily to:
A. Platelets
B. Plasma proteins
C. RBC membranes
D. Albumin-free fraction only

back 33

B. Plasma proteins

front 34

High cortisol protein binding slows cortisol:
A. Filtration by kidneys
B. Elimination from plasma
C. Synthesis in cortex
D. Transport into cells

back 34

B. Elimination from plasma

front 35

Cortisol’s half-life is approximately:
A. 5 minutes
B. 20 minutes
C. 60–90 minutes
D. 6 hours

back 35

C. 60–90 minutes

front 36

Aldosterone has a relatively ___ half-life of about ___.
A. short; 20 minutes
B. long; 20 minutes
C. short; 90 minutes
D. long; 90 minutes

back 36

A. short; 20 minutes

front 37

Adrenocortical hormones are metabolized primarily in the:
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lung
D. Spleen

back 37

B. Liver

front 38

Adrenal steroids are degraded and conjugated to:
A. Sulfuric acid
B. Glucuronic acid
C. Hydrochloric acid
D. Carbonic acid

back 38

B. Glucuronic acid

front 39

About 25% of steroid conjugates are excreted in:
A. Sweat then skin
B. Urine then bladder
C. Bile then feces
D. CSF then blood

back 39

C. Bile then feces

front 40

Aldosterone blood concentration depends strongly on dietary:
A. Sodium and potassium
B. Calcium and phosphate
C. Iron and folate
D. Iodine and selenium

back 40

A. Sodium and potassium

front 41

Total loss of adrenocortical secretion may cause death within days unless treated with extensive:
A. Salt therapy
B. Glucose infusion
C. Thyroxine therapy
D. Beta-blockade

back 41

A. Salt therapy

front 42

In total adrenal cortical failure, survival can be supported by injections of:
A. Catecholamines
B. Mineralocorticoids
C. Calcitonin
D. Thyroxine

back 42

B. Mineralocorticoids

front 43

Without mineralocorticoids, extracellular potassium concentration:
A. Falls rapidly
B. Remains unchanged
C. Rises
D. Cycles unpredictably

back 43

C. Rises

front 44

Without mineralocorticoids, sodium and chloride are rapidly:
A. Retained
B. Lost
C. Converted to bicarbonate
D. Stored in bone

back 44

B. Lost

front 45

Without mineralocorticoids, total extracellular volume and blood volume become:
A. Increased
B. Unchanged
C. Diluted
D. Greatly reduced

back 45

D. Greatly reduced

front 46

Renal epithelial cells express 11β-HSD2 to:
A. Enhance cortisol mineralocorticoid effects
B. Prevent cortisol activating MR
C. Convert aldosterone into cortisol
D. Block aldosterone binding MR

back 46

B. Prevent cortisol activating MR

front 47

Genetic deficiency of 11β-HSD2 causing cortisol mineralocorticoid effects is:
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Conn syndrome
C. Addison disease
D. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess

back 47

D. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess

front 48

Ingestion of large amounts of ___ can cause AME by blocking 11β-HSD2.
A. Grapefruit
B. Licorice
C. Caffeine
D. Ethanol

back 48

B. Licorice

front 49

Aldosterone ___ renal tubular sodium reabsorption and ___ potassium secretion.
A. decreases; decreases
B. increases; increases
C. decreases; increases
D. increases; decreases

back 49

B. increases; increases

front 50

Because aldosterone increases Na+ reabsorption, it simultaneously increases secretion of:
A. Calcium
B. Hydrogen
C. Potassium
D. Bicarbonate

back 50

C. Potassium

front 51

Aldosterone causes sodium to be ___ in ECF while increasing potassium loss in urine.
A. Excreted
B. Conserved
C. Oxidized
D. Chelated

back 51

B. Conserved

front 52

ECF sodium concentration rises only slightly in hyperaldosteronism because Na+ reabsorption pulls in:
A. Glucose
B. Water
C. Phosphate
D. Urea

back 52

B. Water

front 53

Which hormone enhances water reabsorption in distal and collecting tubules?
A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. ADH
D. ANP

back 53

C. ADH

front 54

Increased arterial pressure increases renal Na+ and water excretion called:
A. Osmotic diuresis
B. Countercurrent multiplication
C. Pressure natriuresis/diuresis
D. Tubuloglomerular feedback

back 54

C. Pressure natriuresis/diuresis

front 55

Normalization of Na+ and water excretion during high aldosterone via pressure mechanisms is:
A. Aldosterone escape
B. Mineralocorticoid resistance
C. Addison crisis
D. Conn crisis

back 55

A. Aldosterone escape

front 56

When aldosterone secretion becomes zero, large amounts of sodium are lost in:
A. Sweat
B. Urine
C. Stool
D. Saliva

back 56

B. Urine

front 57

Loss of sodium in urine during aldosterone absence ___ ECF volume.
A. Increases
B. Does not change
C. Decreases
D. Doubles

back 57

C. Decreases

front 58

Excess aldosterone most classically causes:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypocalcemia

back 58

B. Hypokalemia

front 59

Aldosterone deficiency most classically causes:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia

back 59

A. Hyperkalemia

front 60

Excess aldosterone increases tubular hydrogen secretion causing:
A. Acidosis
B. Alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Lactic acidosis

back 60

B. Alkalosis

front 61

Aldosterone stimulates sodium and potassium transport in:
A. Sweat and salivary glands
B. Sweat and pancreas
C. Saliva and thyroid
D. Liver and spleen

back 61

A. Sweat and salivary glands

front 62

Aldosterone diffuses ___ into tubular epithelial cells.
A. Poorly
B. Slowly via carriers
C. Readily
D. Only by endocytosis

back 62

C. Readily

front 63

In a principal cell, aldosterone binds a cytosolic protein with high stereospecificity. That protein is the:
A. Glucocorticoid receptor
B. Angiotensin II receptor
C. Mineralocorticoid receptor
D. ACTH receptor

back 63

C. Mineralocorticoid receptor

front 64

After aldosterone binds its receptor, the complex enters the nucleus and most directly promotes formation of:
A. mRNA
B. cAMP
C. IP3
D. DAG

back 64

A. mRNA

front 65

The aldosterone-induced transcript returns to cytoplasm and, with ribosomes, produces:
A. Steroid hormone
B. Second messenger
C. Glycogen polymer
D. Protein enzyme

back 65

D. Protein enzyme

front 66

The principal basolateral driver of renal Na+/K+ exchange is:
A. Na+-H+ exchanger
B. Na+-K+ ATPase
C. NKCC cotransporter
D. ENaC channel

back 66

B. Na+-K+ ATPase

front 67

Increased extracellular angiotensin II most strongly:
A. Decreases aldosterone output
B. Abolishes aldosterone output
C. Does not change output
D. Increases aldosterone output

back 67

D. Increases aldosterone output

front 68

Increased extracellular sodium concentration will very slightly:
A. Increase aldosterone output
B. Decrease aldosterone output
C. Greatly increase aldosterone output
D. Not affect aldosterone output

back 68

B. Decrease aldosterone output

front 69

A pituitary hormone is necessary for aldosterone synthesis but usually not rate-controlling. Which is it?
A. ADH
B. TSH
C. ACTH
D. GH

back 69

C. ACTH

front 70

When RAAS is activated, aldosterone’s key renal effects are:
A. Excrete K, raise blood pressure
B. Excrete Na, lower blood pressure
C. Retain K, raise blood pressure
D. Retain water, lose sodium

back 70

A. Excrete K, raise blood pressure

front 71

A patient starts an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Plasma aldosterone will:
A. Increase
B. Remain unchanged
C. Oscillate widely
D. Decrease

back 71

D. Decrease

front 72

Cortisol most directly stimulates hepatic:
A. Glycolysis
B. Gluconeogenesis
C. Glycogenesis
D. Ketolysis

back 72

B. Gluconeogenesis

front 73

Cortisol increases the hepatic components needed to convert amino acids into glucose, especially:
A. Transporters
B. Receptors
C. Enzymes
D. Ribosomes

back 73

C. Enzymes

front 74

In prolonged fasting, cortisol shifts substrate availability by causing:
A. Storage of amino acids
B. Oxidation of amino acids
C. Sequestration in connective tissue
D. Mobilization from extrahepatic tissues

back 74

D. Mobilization from extrahepatic tissues

front 75

Cortisol counteracts insulin’s suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis; it:
A. Antagonizes insulin
B. Enhances insulin
C. Mimics insulin
D. Replaces insulin

back 75

A. Antagonizes insulin

front 76

Cortisol causes a moderate ____ in glucose utilization by most cells.
A. Increase
B. No change
C. Decrease
D. Complete blockade

back 76

C. Decrease

front 77

Reduced GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane from cortisol leads to:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Insulin resistance
C. Mineralocorticoid excess
D. Increased glucose sensitivity

back 77

B. Insulin resistance

front 78

Sustained cortisol-induced hyperglycemia can produce:
A. Adrenal diabetes
B. Type 1 diabetes
C. Diabetes insipidus
D. Pancreatic failure

back 78

A. Adrenal diabetes

front 79

Cortisol decreases ____ stores in essentially all cells except liver.
A. Glycogen
B. Triglyceride
C. Phosphate
D. Protein

back 79

D. Protein

front 80

Cortisol’s net effect on liver and plasma proteins is:
A. Decreases both
B. Increases both
C. No net change
D. Denatures both

back 80

B. Increases both

front 81

Cortisol ____ mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue.
A. Inhibits
B. Blocks
C. Promotes
D. Converts

back 81

C. Promotes

front 82

Beyond mobilization, cortisol also directly tends to ____ fatty acid oxidation in cells.
A. Enhance
B. Suppress
C. Prevent
D. Randomize

back 82

A. Enhance

front 83

Any major stress increases ____ secretion, which increases cortisol output.
A. TSH
B. ADH
C. GH
D. ACTH

back 83

D. ACTH

front 84

After major surgery, a patient’s cortisol spikes. Which stimulus is classically associated with increased cortisol?
A. High dietary sodium
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Surgery
D. Increased sunlight exposure

back 84

C. Surgery

front 85

A restrained lab animal develops high cortisol. This is best classified as:
A. Physiologic stressor
B. Primary thyroid failure
C. Mineralocorticoid excess
D. Paraneoplastic syndrome

back 85

A. Physiologic stressor

front 86

Which exposure is a classic cortisol-raising trigger?
A. Low ambient light
B. High carbohydrate meal
C. Mild dehydration only
D. Intense heat or cold

back 86

D. Intense heat or cold

front 87

A patient receives a norepinephrine injection during shock. This can increase cortisol as a:
A. Paracrine reflex
B. Stress-related trigger
C. Thyroid feedback effect
D. Renal compensation

back 87

B. Stress-related trigger

front 88

Large doses of glucocorticoids can usually block inflammation and may reverse effects in:
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Graves disease
C. Type 1 diabetes
D. Myxedema

back 88

A. Rheumatoid arthritis

front 89

Cortisol’s anti-inflammatory effect includes stabilization of:
A. Nuclear pores
B. Tight junctions
C. Microtubules
D. Lysosomal membranes

back 89

D. Lysosomal membranes

front 90

Cortisol blocks edema formation partly by decreasing:
A. Capillary permeability
B. Venous compliance
C. Lymphatic pumping
D. Erythrocyte rigidity

back 90

A. Capillary permeability

front 91

Cortisol decreases leukocyte migration and phagocytosis partly by reducing:
A. Histamine and bradykinin
B. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes
C. Interferons and antibodies
D. Renin and angiotensin

back 91

B. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes

front 92

Cortisol suppresses immunity primarily by decreasing:
A. Neutrophil degranulation
B. Monocyte differentiation
C. Lymphocyte reproduction
D. Platelet aggregation

back 92

C. Lymphocyte reproduction

front 93

Cortisol attenuates fever mainly by reducing release of:
A. IL-1 from WBCs
B. IL-2 from T cells
C. TNF from endothelium
D. IFN-γ from NK cells

back 93

A. IL-1 from WBCs

front 94

Cortisol’s effect on allergic inflammation is best described as:
A. Potentiates histamine release
B. Blocks allergic inflammatory response
C. Increases mast-cell numbers
D. Prolongs late-phase wheeze

back 94

B. Blocks allergic inflammatory response

front 95

Cortisol also promotes:
A. Hemolysis
B. Necrosis
C. Calcification
D. Healing

back 95

D. Healing

front 96

Lymphocytopenia or eosinopenia suggests overproduction of:
A. Aldosterone
B. ACTH
C. Cortisol
D. TSH

back 96

C. Cortisol

front 97

Cortisol is lipid-_____ , enabling membrane passage.
A. soluble
B. charged
C. insoluble
D. anchored

back 97

A. soluble

front 98

Inside the cell, cortisol binds its receptor in the:
A. Cytoplasm
B. Extracellular fluid
C. Nucleus
D. Mitochondria

back 98

A. Cytoplasm

front 99

The cortisol–receptor complex regulates transcription by binding:
A. TATA boxes
B. Glucocorticoid response elements
C. Thyroid response elements
D. Estrogen response elements

back 99

B. Glucocorticoid response elements

front 100

ACTH is best described as:
A. Tripeptide amide
B. Steroid hormone
C. 39–amino acid polypeptide
D. Catecholamine precursor

back 100

C. 39–amino acid polypeptide

front 101

CRF-secreting neuron cell bodies are mainly in the:
A. Supraoptic nucleus
B. Paraventricular nucleus
C. Median eminence
D. Arcuate nucleus

back 101

B. Paraventricular nucleus

front 102

ACTH activates which membrane enzyme to raise cAMP?
A. Phospholipase C
B. Guanylyl cyclase
C. Adenylyl cyclase
D. Tyrosine kinase

back 102

C. Adenylyl cyclase

front 103

The most important ACTH-stimulated step listed is activation of:
A. Protein kinase A
B. 11β-HSD2
C. LDL endocytosis
D. Aldosterone synthase

back 103

A. Protein kinase A

front 104

Protein kinase A activation most directly promotes cholesterol conversion to:
A. Cortisol
B. Pregnenolone
C. Aldosterone
D. Corticosterone

back 104

B. Pregnenolone

front 105

Physiologic stress increases secretion of:
A. ACTH and cortisol
B. TSH and calcitonin
C. ADH and aldosterone
D. Renin and insulin

back 105

A. ACTH and cortisol

front 106

Cortisol exerts direct negative feedback on:
A. Hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
B. Thyroid and parathyroids
C. Posterior pituitary and pineal
D. Adrenal medulla and kidney

back 106

A. Hypothalamus and anterior pituitary

front 107

The precursor that yields ACTH, MSH, β-lipotropin, and β-endorphin is:
A. Angiotensinogen
B. Thyroglobulin
C. POMC
D. Albumin

back 107

C. POMC

front 108

Primary adrenal cortical atrophy or injury with low adrenocortical hormones is:
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Addison’s disease
C. Conn syndrome
D. Graves disease

back 108

B. Addison’s disease

front 109

Mineralocorticoid deficiency most directly causes:
A. ECF depletion → shock risk
B. RBC hemolysis → anemia
C. Hypercalcemia → tetany
D. SIADH → hyponatremia

back 109

A. ECF depletion → shock risk

front 110

Glucocorticoid deficiency in Addison prevents between-meal glucose maintenance because it impairs:
A. Glycogenolysis
B. Ketogenesis
C. Gluconeogenesis
D. Lipolysis

back 110

C. Gluconeogenesis

front 111

A key cause of Addison-associated mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation is increased:
A. Melanin
B. Bilirubin
C. Hemosiderin
D. Carotene

back 111

A. Melanin

front 112

Standard chronic therapy for Addison disease is:
A. High-dose dexamethasone
B. Beta-blocker monotherapy
C. Aldosterone alone
D. Daily mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids

back 112

D. Daily mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids

front 113

Severe stress-related debility requiring extra glucocorticoids in Addison is:
A. Thyroid storm
B. Addisonian crisis
C. Conn syndrome
D. Cushing syndrome

back 113

B. Addisonian crisis

front 114

Hypersecretion by the adrenal cortex causing a complex cascade is:
A. Cushing syndrome
B. Addison disease
C. Graves disease
D. Hashimoto disease

back 114

A. Cushing syndrome

front 115

Cushing syndrome due to excess pituitary ACTH is:
A. Conn syndrome
B. Addison disease
C. Cushing disease
D. Adrenogenital syndrome

back 115

C. Cushing disease

front 116

The drug classically administered to differentiate ACTH-dependent vs ACTH-independent Cushing is:
A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. ACTH
D. Dexamethasone

back 116

D. Dexamethasone

front 117

With very high-dose dexamethasone, which change can occur in many patients with Cushing disease?
A. Renin rises markedly
B. ACTH becomes suppressed
C. Cortisol rises further
D. Aldosterone becomes undetectable

back 117

B. ACTH becomes suppressed

front 118

Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome can result from prolonged administration of:
A. Glucocorticoids
B. Mineralocorticoids
C. Thyroxine
D. Insulin

back 118

A. Glucocorticoids

front 119

The classic facial appearance in Cushing syndrome is:
A. Butterfly rash
B. Masklike facies
C. Myxedematous facies
D. Moon face

back 119

D. Moon face

front 120

About 80% of patients with Cushing syndrome develop:
A. Hypotension
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Syncope

back 120

B. Hypertension

front 121

Cushing hypertension is largely attributed to:
A. Autoantibodies stimulating AT1 receptors
B. Catecholamine excess
C. Cortisol mineralocorticoid activity
D. Low aldosterone signaling

back 121

C. Cortisol mineralocorticoid activity

front 122

Purplish striae in Cushing syndrome reflect depletion of:
A. Collagen depletion
B. Keratin excess
C. Elastin overgrowth
D. Melanin accumulation

back 122

A. Collagen depletion

front 123

A correct treatment approach for Cushing syndrome includes:
A. Iodine ablation only
B. Beta-blocker only
C. Salt therapy only
D. Tumor removal or steroidogenesis blockade

back 123

D. Tumor removal or steroidogenesis blockade

front 124

Among listed treatments, the “last resort” option is:
A. High-dose dexamethasone
B. Methimazole therapy
C. Adrenalectomy
D. Pheochromocytoma resection

back 124

C. Adrenalectomy

front 125

A small zona glomerulosa tumor secreting large aldosterone is:
A. Primary aldosteronism
B. Addison disease
C. Cushing syndrome
D. Adrenogenital syndrome

back 125

A. Primary aldosteronism

front 126

A diagnostic criterion for primary aldosteronism is:
A. Increased plasma renin
B. Increased TSH
C. Decreased cortisol
D. Decreased plasma renin

back 126

D. Decreased plasma renin

front 127

Treatment for primary aldosteronism is best:
A. Levothyroxine replacement
B. Surgery or MR antagonist
C. Radioiodine ablation
D. Dopamine agonist therapy

back 127

B. Surgery or MR antagonist

front 128

An adrenocortical tumor secreting excess androgens causing masculinization is:
A. Conn syndrome
B. Cushing disease
C. Adrenogenital syndrome
D. Addisonian crisis

back 128

C. Adrenogenital syndrome

front 129

Adrenal cortex layers superficial → deep are:
A. Glomerulosa fasciculata reticularis
B. Fasciculata reticularis glomerulosa
C. Reticularis glomerulosa fasciculata
D. Medulla glomerulosa fasciculata

back 129

A. Glomerulosa fasciculata reticularis

front 130

Which finding best supports primary adrenal insufficiency over secondary?
A. No ACTH present
B. Melanin pigmentation present
C. Moon face present
D. Hypertension present

back 130

B. Melanin pigmentation present

front 131

A classic trigger for Addisonian crisis is:
A. High sodium diet
B. Cold adaptation
C. Exercise training
D. Infection or trauma stress

back 131

D. Infection or trauma stress

front 132

A patient with Addison disease is especially prone to:
A. Hyperglycemia after meals
B. Hypertension after meals
C. Hypoglycemia between meals
D. Polycythemia between meals

back 132

C. Hypoglycemia between meals

front 133

A patient has persistently high aldosterone, yet after several days their renal Na+/H2O excretion returns near baseline. This phenomenon is:
A. Mineralocorticoid resistance
B. Adrenal diabetes
C. Aldosterone escape
D. Apparent mineralocorticoid excess

back 133

C. Aldosterone escape

front 134

The key driver of aldosterone escape is:
A. Increased BP → natriuresis/diuresis
B. Decreased ADH → water loss
C. Increased GFR → glucosuria
D. Decreased RAAS → low aldosterone

back 134

A. Increased BP → natriuresis/diuresis

front 135

A patient with aldosterone deficiency is at greatest risk for:
A. Hypocalcemia and tetany
B. Metabolic alkalosis only
C. Hypernatremia and edema
D. Hyperkalemia with arrhythmias

back 135

D. Hyperkalemia with arrhythmias

front 136

A patient with chronic watery diarrhea and low aldosterone most directly has impaired:
A. Gastric acid secretion
B. Intestinal sodium-water absorption
C. Pancreatic enzyme release
D. Hepatic bile acid synthesis

back 136

B. Intestinal sodium-water absorption

front 137

In renal tubular epithelial cells, aldosterone initially binds its receptor in the:
A. Cytoplasm
B. Nucleus
C. Luminal membrane
D. Basolateral membrane

back 137

A. Cytoplasm

front 138

After aldosterone binds its receptor, the complex:
A. Activates MAPK at membrane
B. Opens ENaC directly
C. Blocks potassium secretion
D. Translocates to nucleus, alters genes

back 138

D. Translocates to nucleus, alters genes

front 139

In principal cells, the Na+-K+ ATPase is located on the:
A. Luminal membrane
B. Basolateral membrane
C. Nuclear envelope
D. Apical tight junctions

back 139

B. Basolateral membrane

front 140

In principal cells, the epithelial Na+ channel is located on the:
A. Basolateral membrane
B. Mitochondrial membrane
C. Luminal membrane
D. Nuclear membrane

back 140

C. Luminal membrane

front 141

The second messenger system listed for aldosterone is:
A. cAMP second messenger
B. IP3-DAG signaling
C. cGMP signaling
D. JAK-STAT pathway

back 141

A. cAMP second messenger

front 142

The most potent regulators of aldosterone secretion are:
A. Sodium and chloride
B. ACTH and cortisol
C. ADH and osmolality
D. Potassium and RAAS

back 142

D. Potassium and RAAS

front 143

When RAAS is activated, aldosterone helps restore homeostasis by:
A. Excreting sodium, lowering pressure
B. Excreting potassium, raising pressure
C. Retaining potassium, lowering pressure
D. Retaining water, lowering pressure

back 143

B. Excreting potassium, raising pressure

front 144

During stress, cortisol raises blood glucose partly by inhibiting insulin via reduced:
A. Glycogen synthase activity
B. GLUT2 insertion in hepatocytes
C. GLUT4 translocation in muscle
D. Pyruvate kinase in erythrocytes

back 144

C. GLUT4 translocation in muscle

front 145

In a prolonged stress response, cortisol increases blood glucose by:
A. Increasing gluconeogenesis and AA mobilization
B. Decreasing hepatic enzyme production
C. Increasing insulin-mediated glucose uptake
D. Blocking amino acid mobilization

back 145

A. Increasing gluconeogenesis and AA mobilization

front 146

When cortisol inhibits insulin signaling, gluconeogenesis:
A. Becomes fully suppressed
B. Requires thyroid hormone first
C. Stops after meals only
D. Cannot be stopped, causing hyperglycemia

back 146

D. Cannot be stopped, causing hyperglycemia

front 147

A patient on chronic high-dose glucocorticoids develops “adrenal diabetes.” Insulin therapy is often:
A. Curative at low doses
B. Ineffective due to resistance
C. Always contraindicated
D. Unnecessary due to hypoglycemia

back 147

B. Ineffective due to resistance

front 148

α-glycerophosphate (from glucose) is required for:
A. Ketone body formation
B. Cholesterol ester storage
C. Hepatic urea synthesis
D. Triglyceride deposition in adipocytes

back 148

D. Triglyceride deposition in adipocytes

front 149

A patient on chronic glucocorticoids shows elevated hematocrit without bleeding. This aligns with cortisol:
A. Decreasing hematopoiesis
B. Causing hemolysis
C. Blocking erythropoietin release
D. Increasing hematopoiesis

back 149

D. Increasing hematopoiesis

front 150

CRF is secreted into the primary capillary plexus of the portal system at the:
A. Arcuate nucleus
B. Supraoptic nucleus
C. Posterior pituitary
D. Median eminence

back 150

D. Median eminence

front 151

CRF, ACTH, and cortisol secretion is highest:
A. In the morning
B. At midnight
C. After lunch
D. During REM sleep

back 151

A. In the morning

front 152

ACTH synthesis/secretion is associated with which peptides?
A. ADH, oxytocin, prolactin
B. Renin, angiotensin, aldosterone
C. TSH, TRH, growth hormone
D. MSH, lipotropin, endorphin

back 152

D. MSH, lipotropin, endorphin

front 153

In corticotrophs, which convertase yields ACTH and β-lipotropin?
A. Prohormone convertase 1
B. Prohormone convertase 2
C. Tyrosine hydroxylase
D. Catechol-O-methyltransferase

back 153

A. Prohormone convertase 1

front 154

A pathway produces α-MSH, β-MSH, γ-MSH, and β-endorphin, but not ACTH. Which enzyme is responsible?
A. Prohormone convertase 1
B. 21-hydroxylase
C. Protein kinase A
D. Prohormone convertase 2

back 154

D. Prohormone convertase 2

front 155

Most melanocyte-stimulating hormone is secreted from the:
A. Pars distalis
B. Pars intermedia
C. Posterior pituitary
D. Infundibulum

back 155

B. Pars intermedia

front 156

In severe primary adrenal failure, ACTH is high and hyperpigmentation occurs. Best explanation?
A. ACTH has MSH activity
B. Increased bilirubin deposition
C. Increased carotene absorption
D. Hemosiderin accumulates in skin

back 156

A. ACTH has MSH activity

front 157

A patient has adrenal insufficiency with very high ACTH and increased other POMC-derived peptides. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Conn syndrome
B. Cushing syndrome
C. Secondary hypoadrenalism
D. Addison disease

back 157

D. Addison disease

front 158

Which constellation best fits primary Addison disease?
A. Hypernatremia, hypokalemia, pallor
B. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, pigmentation
C. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, pallor
D. Hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, pallor

back 158

B. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, pigmentation

front 159

Postpartum pituitary infarction causes low ACTH and low cortisol with intact adrenals. This is:
A. Conn syndrome
B. Cushing disease
C. Secondary hypoadrenalism
D. Primary aldosteronism

back 159

C. Secondary hypoadrenalism

front 160

Metyrapone, ketoconazole, and aminoglutethimide are useful in Cushing because they:
A. Block mineralocorticoid receptors
B. Block steroid synthesis
C. Increase ACTH secretion
D. Raise cortisol-binding globulin

back 160

B. Block steroid synthesis

front 161

Serotonin antagonists can reduce hypercortisolism by:
A. Inhibiting ACTH secretion
B. Activating aldosterone synthase
C. Activating 11β-hydroxylase
D. Blocking cortisol protein binding

back 161

A. Inhibiting ACTH secretion

front 162

A small zona glomerulosa tumor secreting aldosterone causes:
A. Addison disease
B. Cushing disease
C. Adrenogenital syndrome
D. Conn syndrome

back 162

D. Conn syndrome

front 163

A screening clue for Conn syndrome is:
A. High ACTH level
B. High urinary ketosteroids
C. Low plasma renin
D. Low free thyroxine

back 163

C. Low plasma renin

front 164

A classic clinical feature of Conn syndrome is:
A. Hyperkalemia and fatigue
B. Hyponatremia and pigmentation
C. Hypotension and weight loss
D. Hypokalemia and muscle weakness

back 164

D. Hypokalemia and muscle weakness

front 165

An adrenocortical tumor secreting excess androgens with masculinizing effects is:
A. Adrenogenital syndrome
B. Conn syndrome
C. Addison disease
D. Cushing syndrome

back 165

A. Adrenogenital syndrome

front 166

In females, adrenogenital syndrome most classically causes:
A. Galactorrhea
B. Virilization
C. Exophthalmos
D. Myxedema

back 166

B. Virilization

front 167

In prepubertal males, adrenogenital syndrome most classically causes:
A. Delayed puberty
B. Gynecomastia
C. Rapid male sex traits
D. Loss of secondary traits

back 167

C. Rapid male sex traits

front 168

Best diagnostic lab finding for adrenogenital syndrome is:
A. Urinary 17-ketosteroids high
B. Plasma renin low
C. Serum TSH high
D. Free T4 low

back 168

A. Urinary 17-ketosteroids high