Adrenal Disorders: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Question 1

Which complication of adrenalectomy is primarily managed through hormone replacement therapy?

Accepted Answer

Addison's crisis

Answer

Infection

Answer

Bleeding

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Question 2

In the initial pharmacological management of primary adrenal insufficiency, which medication regimen is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids

Answer

Glucocorticoids only

Answer

Mineralocorticoids only

Answer

Diuretics and antihypertensives

Question 3

Which zone of the adrenal cortex is responsible for the secretion of cortisol?

Accepted Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Medulla

Question 4

What is the primary underlying cause of Addison's disease?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands

Answer

Pituitary insufficiency

Answer

Adrenalectomy

Answer

Pheochromocytoma

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a common clinical manifestation of Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Hirsutism

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Buffalo hump

Answer

Amenorrhea

Question 6

Which class of medication is the first-line treatment for primary hyperaldosteronism?

Accepted Answer

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Statins

Question 7

What is the initial recommended imaging technique for evaluating suspected adrenal masses?

Accepted Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

X-ray

Question 8

Which hormone plays a crucial role in regulating electrolyte balance and fluid homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 9

What is the most common cause of adrenal insufficiency in pediatric patients?

Accepted Answer

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Answer

Autoimmune disorders

Answer

Trauma

Answer

Infection

Question 10

Which adrenal disorder is characterized by excessive production of epinephrine and norepinephrine?

Accepted Answer

Pheochromocytoma

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Addison's disease

Answer

Primary hyperaldosteronism

Question 11

Which condition results from insufficient secretion of cortisol?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient secretion of cortisol

Answer

Excessive secretion of ACTH

Answer

Excessive secretion of aldosterone

Answer

Insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone

Question 12

Which hormone primarily regulates aldosterone secretion?

Accepted Answer

Renin

Answer

ACTH

Answer

Antidiuretic hormone

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 13

Which condition precludes the use of aminoglutethimide in treating Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease

Answer

Pregnancy

Answer

Renal failure

Answer

Heart failure

Question 14

In managing an adrenal crisis, what is the primary nursing goal?

Accepted Answer

Restore fluid and electrolyte balance

Answer

Administer corticosteroids

Answer

Monitor for signs of infection

Answer

Provide emotional support

Question 15

In the treatment of adrenal insufficiency, which synthetic glucocorticoid medication is commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocortisone

Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Spironolactone

Question 16

Which of the following is the primary function of the adrenal glands?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of glucose metabolism and stress response

Answer

Production of thyroid hormones

Answer

Immune system function

Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Question 17

Which of the following is a characteristic of Addison's disease?

Accepted Answer

Deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone hormones

Answer

Excessive production of cortisol

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Answer

Increased heart rate

Question 18

Which medication is primarily used to treat Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Metyrapone

Answer

Hydrocortisone

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Aspirin

Question 19

Which zone of the adrenal cortex produces aldosterone?

Accepted Answer

Zona glomerulosa

Answer

Zona fasciculata

Answer

Zona reticularis

Answer

Zona granulosa

Question 20

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor that originates from which part of the adrenal gland?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal medulla

Answer

Adrenal cortex

Answer

Pituitary gland

Answer

Pancreas

Question 21

The most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency is:

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune disease

Answer

Cancer

Answer

Infection

Answer

Trauma

Question 22

Which hormone is predominantly secreted by the adrenal cortex?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Insulin

Question 23

Identify the fundamental pathological mechanism underlying Cushing's syndrome:

Accepted Answer

Excessive ACTH secretion

Answer

Deficient cortisol production

Answer

Increased aldosterone levels

Answer

Adrenal hyperplasia

Question 24

Specify the primary function of the zona glomerulosa within the adrenal cortex:

Accepted Answer

Produces aldosterone

Answer

Produces cortisol

Answer

Produces adrenal androgens

Answer

Regulates blood pressure

Question 25

Define the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis:

Accepted Answer

A hormonal pathway regulating cortisol production

Answer

A neural pathway controlling blood pressure

Answer

A pathway regulating glucose levels

Answer

A feedback loop regulating thyroid hormone production

Question 26

Which diagnostic test is employed to confirm a diagnosis of primary aldosteronism?

Accepted Answer

Aldosterone-to-renin ratio

Answer

Plasma renin activity

Answer

Cortisol level

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test

Question 27

Identify the primary pharmacological class used to treat Cushing's disease:

Accepted Answer

Adrenal enzyme inhibitors

Answer

Dopamine agonists

Answer

Corticosteroids

Answer

Adrenal androgen blockers

Question 28

Which potential complication can arise following adrenalectomy?

Accepted Answer

Addison's disease

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Pheochromocytoma crisis

Answer

Myxedema coma

Question 29

What is the primary hormone released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Testosterone

Question 30

What is the primary cause of Addison's disease?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands

Answer

Pituitary insufficiency

Answer

Adrenal hemorrhage

Answer

Tuberculosis

Question 31

What is a characteristic electrolyte imbalance associated with Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Hyponatremia

Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hypocalcemia

Answer

Hypomagnesemia

Question 32

Which of the following is a potential surgical intervention for pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

Adrenalectomy

Answer

Lumbar sympathectomy

Answer

Vagotomy

Answer

Thoracotomy

Question 33

What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with an adrenal crisis?

Accepted Answer

Administering glucocorticoids

Answer

Monitoring vital signs

Answer

Providing emotional support

Answer

Educating the patient about their condition

Question 34

In a patient presenting with fatigue, muscle weakness, and salt craving, and whose blood tests reveal low cortisol and high ACTH levels, what is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Pheochromocytoma

Answer

Secondary adrenal insufficiency

Question 35

Which of the following medications is the first-line treatment for managing the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocortisone

Answer

Prednisone

Answer

Fludrocortisone

Answer

Dexamethasone

Question 36

A patient with Cushing's syndrome is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Anemia

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 37

What is the primary function of the adrenal medulla?

Accepted Answer

Secretion of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine)

Answer

Regulation of electrolyte balance

Answer

Production of cortisol

Question 38

Which diagnostic test is considered the gold standard for confirming a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Overnight dexamethasone suppression test

Answer

Plasma cortisol levels

Answer

ACTH stimulation test

Answer

24-hour urine free cortisol

Question 39

A patient with a history of pheochromocytoma is admitted to the hospital for surgery. Which of the following medications is crucial to administer pre-operatively to prevent hypertensive crisis?

Accepted Answer

Phenoxybenzamine

Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Furosemide

Question 40

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Conn's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Hypertension and hypokalemia

Answer

Hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia

Answer

Fatigue and muscle weakness

Answer

Hyperpigmentation and weight loss

Question 41

A patient with Addison's disease is experiencing an acute adrenal crisis. Which of the following is a critical intervention in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous hydrocortisone

Answer

Fluid restriction

Answer

Oral prednisone

Question 42

Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating sodium and potassium balance in the body?

Accepted Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

ACTH

Question 43

What is the most common cause of adrenal insufficiency?

Accepted Answer

Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands

Answer

Pituitary tumors

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia