PORTH'S ESSENTIALS OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback
system? Answer: Estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
◉ A patient comes to a scheduled appointment in the endocrine
clinic. Their primary care physician referred them suspecting the
patient has develops acromegaly. Knowing the usual testing
involved, the nurse should educate the patient about which of the
following lab/diagnostic procedures? Answer: A suppression test.
◉ When comparing the endocrine and nervous system functions, the
nurse knows that the endocrine system: Select all that apply.
Answer: • Releases hormones into the blood that is transported
throughout the body
• Glands are widely scattered throughout the body
• Takes longer to respond to innervations but has prolonged actions
when they arrive
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving exogenous
corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Recognizing that hormone
levels are regulated by negative feedback, which of these laboratory
,test results does the nurse anticipate uncovering when reviewing
the medical record? Answer: Reduction in ACTH
◉ The nurse is reviewing the test results of a client who was given
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to evaluate the function of the
pituitary gland. The nurse would recognize pituitary dysfunction as:
Answer: Decreased TSH levels
◉ Which of the following are examples of amines? Select all that
apply. Answer: • Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine
◉ When explaining factors that influence the number of receptors
present on target cells, the instructor will likely mention: Select all
that apply. Answer: • The role antibodies may have on receptor
proteins.
• A decreased hormone level may produce increased receptor
numbers.
• A sustained excess hormone level brings about a decrease in
receptor numbers.
◉ After having a very stressful day in pathophysiology class, the
student knows that which hormone (secreted by the adrenal cortex)
will help decrease the effects of stress? Answer: Cortisol, a
glucocorticoid
, ◉ During the follicular stage of menstruation, increased estradiol
production causes an increase in FSH production. This increase in
FSH production by the anterior pituitary gland will have what effect
on the follicle? Answer: The follicle will die which results in a fall of
FSH.
◉ Which gland acts as a signal relaying bridge between multiple
body systems and the pituitary gland? Answer: Hypothalamus
◉ The endocrine system is closely linked with the nervous system.
What neurotransmitter can also act as a hormone? Answer:
Epinephrine
◉ Prior to running the marathon in the Olympics, an athelete is
testing for the use of performance-enhancing agents. Which type of
lab/diagnostic testing should the nurse review with this athelete?
Answer: Mass spectrometry with liquid chromatography.
◉ Which of the following statements best captures the relationship
between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland as it relates to
endocrine function? Answer: The hypothalamus receives input from
numerous sources throughout the body and directs the pituitary to
then control many target glands and cells.
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback
system? Answer: Estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
◉ A patient comes to a scheduled appointment in the endocrine
clinic. Their primary care physician referred them suspecting the
patient has develops acromegaly. Knowing the usual testing
involved, the nurse should educate the patient about which of the
following lab/diagnostic procedures? Answer: A suppression test.
◉ When comparing the endocrine and nervous system functions, the
nurse knows that the endocrine system: Select all that apply.
Answer: • Releases hormones into the blood that is transported
throughout the body
• Glands are widely scattered throughout the body
• Takes longer to respond to innervations but has prolonged actions
when they arrive
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving exogenous
corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Recognizing that hormone
levels are regulated by negative feedback, which of these laboratory
,test results does the nurse anticipate uncovering when reviewing
the medical record? Answer: Reduction in ACTH
◉ The nurse is reviewing the test results of a client who was given
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to evaluate the function of the
pituitary gland. The nurse would recognize pituitary dysfunction as:
Answer: Decreased TSH levels
◉ Which of the following are examples of amines? Select all that
apply. Answer: • Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine
◉ When explaining factors that influence the number of receptors
present on target cells, the instructor will likely mention: Select all
that apply. Answer: • The role antibodies may have on receptor
proteins.
• A decreased hormone level may produce increased receptor
numbers.
• A sustained excess hormone level brings about a decrease in
receptor numbers.
◉ After having a very stressful day in pathophysiology class, the
student knows that which hormone (secreted by the adrenal cortex)
will help decrease the effects of stress? Answer: Cortisol, a
glucocorticoid
, ◉ During the follicular stage of menstruation, increased estradiol
production causes an increase in FSH production. This increase in
FSH production by the anterior pituitary gland will have what effect
on the follicle? Answer: The follicle will die which results in a fall of
FSH.
◉ Which gland acts as a signal relaying bridge between multiple
body systems and the pituitary gland? Answer: Hypothalamus
◉ The endocrine system is closely linked with the nervous system.
What neurotransmitter can also act as a hormone? Answer:
Epinephrine
◉ Prior to running the marathon in the Olympics, an athelete is
testing for the use of performance-enhancing agents. Which type of
lab/diagnostic testing should the nurse review with this athelete?
Answer: Mass spectrometry with liquid chromatography.
◉ Which of the following statements best captures the relationship
between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland as it relates to
endocrine function? Answer: The hypothalamus receives input from
numerous sources throughout the body and directs the pituitary to
then control many target glands and cells.
