,BIOD 351 Module 4 | Pharmacology | Portage Learning
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which hormone does vasopressin mimic in the human body?
A) Oxytocin
B) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D) Growth hormone
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: Vasopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that mimics the action of
endogenous ADH. It works by increasing water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of
the nephron, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes insipidus. It does not mimic oxytocin, TSH, or
growth hormone.
2. Which statement about vasopressin is TRUE?
A) Vasopressin decreases water reabsorption in the nephron
B) Vasopressin is useful in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies
C) Vasopressin increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting duct
D) Vasopressin is a first-line treatment for hypotension
Correct Answer: Vasopressin increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting duct
Rationale: Vasopressin (ADH) increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of
the nephron, reducing urine output. It is not useful for hypertensive emergencies (it raises blood
pressure via vasoconstriction) and is not typically a first-line treatment for hypotension.
3. A patient is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. Which medication is most appropriate for treatment?
A) Furosemide
B) Desmopressin
,C) Metformin
D) Glipizide
Correct Answer: Desmopressin
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic analog of vasopressin (ADH) used to treat diabetes insipidus. It
replaces the missing ADH, reducing excessive urination and thirst. Furosemide is a diuretic, metformin
and glipizide are for type 2 diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus.
4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B) Absolute insulin deficiency
C) Strong association with obesity
D) Requires exogenous insulin for survival
Correct Answer: Strong association with obesity
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading
to absolute insulin deficiency and requiring exogenous insulin for survival. It is not strongly associated
with obesity; that is a characteristic of Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to obesity and
insulin resistance.
5. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. What is the primary mechanism of action of
metformin?
A) Stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
B) Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity
C) Slows intestinal glucose absorption
D) Increases glucose excretion in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity
, Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production
(gluconeogenesis) and increasing peripheral insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose tissue. It does not
stimulate insulin secretion; it requires the presence of endogenous insulin to be effective.
6. Which of the following is a common adverse effect of metformin?
A) Weight gain
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea)
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea)
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, diarrhea, and
abdominal discomfort. These effects are often dose-related and may diminish over time. Metformin is
weight-neutral or may cause modest weight loss, rarely causes hypoglycemia when used alone, and
does not cause hyperkalemia.
7. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed a sulfonylurea. What is the primary mechanism of action
of sulfonylureas?
A) Decrease hepatic glucose production
B) Stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
C) Slow carbohydrate absorption in the intestine
D) Increase glucose excretion in the urine
Correct Answer: Stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide) stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
by closing ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization and calcium influx. This
mechanism requires functioning beta cells and can cause hypoglycemia as a significant adverse effect.
8. Which of the following is an example of a sulfonylurea?
A) Metformin
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which hormone does vasopressin mimic in the human body?
A) Oxytocin
B) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
C) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
D) Growth hormone
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: Vasopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that mimics the action of
endogenous ADH. It works by increasing water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of
the nephron, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes insipidus. It does not mimic oxytocin, TSH, or
growth hormone.
2. Which statement about vasopressin is TRUE?
A) Vasopressin decreases water reabsorption in the nephron
B) Vasopressin is useful in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies
C) Vasopressin increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting duct
D) Vasopressin is a first-line treatment for hypotension
Correct Answer: Vasopressin increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting duct
Rationale: Vasopressin (ADH) increases water reabsorption in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of
the nephron, reducing urine output. It is not useful for hypertensive emergencies (it raises blood
pressure via vasoconstriction) and is not typically a first-line treatment for hypotension.
3. A patient is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. Which medication is most appropriate for treatment?
A) Furosemide
B) Desmopressin
,C) Metformin
D) Glipizide
Correct Answer: Desmopressin
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic analog of vasopressin (ADH) used to treat diabetes insipidus. It
replaces the missing ADH, reducing excessive urination and thirst. Furosemide is a diuretic, metformin
and glipizide are for type 2 diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus.
4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B) Absolute insulin deficiency
C) Strong association with obesity
D) Requires exogenous insulin for survival
Correct Answer: Strong association with obesity
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, leading
to absolute insulin deficiency and requiring exogenous insulin for survival. It is not strongly associated
with obesity; that is a characteristic of Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to obesity and
insulin resistance.
5. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. What is the primary mechanism of action of
metformin?
A) Stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
B) Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity
C) Slows intestinal glucose absorption
D) Increases glucose excretion in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity
, Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production
(gluconeogenesis) and increasing peripheral insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose tissue. It does not
stimulate insulin secretion; it requires the presence of endogenous insulin to be effective.
6. Which of the following is a common adverse effect of metformin?
A) Weight gain
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea)
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea)
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, diarrhea, and
abdominal discomfort. These effects are often dose-related and may diminish over time. Metformin is
weight-neutral or may cause modest weight loss, rarely causes hypoglycemia when used alone, and
does not cause hyperkalemia.
7. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed a sulfonylurea. What is the primary mechanism of action
of sulfonylureas?
A) Decrease hepatic glucose production
B) Stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
C) Slow carbohydrate absorption in the intestine
D) Increase glucose excretion in the urine
Correct Answer: Stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide) stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
by closing ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization and calcium influx. This
mechanism requires functioning beta cells and can cause hypoglycemia as a significant adverse effect.
8. Which of the following is an example of a sulfonylurea?
A) Metformin
