PORTAGE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – MODULE 9 PRACTICE EXAM WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES 2026/2027 VERSION
1. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Insulin
Rationale: Insulin, produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, lowers blood glucose by
promoting glucose uptake into cells and storage as glycogen.
2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is primarily caused by:
A. Insulin resistance
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excess glucagon production
D. Obesity
Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells,
causing absolute insulin deficiency.
3. Which symptom is most commonly associated with hyperglycemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Polyuria
C. Constipation
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B. Polyuria
Rationale: Elevated blood glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to excessive urination.
4. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is expected to have:
,A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Deep, rapid respirations help compensate for metabolic acidosis in DKA.
5. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with DKA?
A. Blood glucose 55 mg/dL
B. Positive serum ketones
C. Low potassium only
D. Low urine glucose
Answer: B. Positive serum ketones
Rationale: Insulin deficiency causes fat breakdown, producing ketones and metabolic acidosis.
6. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) occurs most commonly in:
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes only
D. Healthy adults
Answer: B. Type 2 diabetes
Rationale: HHS typically develops in patients with Type 2 diabetes and is characterized by
severe hyperglycemia with minimal ketosis.
7. Which hormone increases blood glucose levels?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Calcitonin
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B. Glucagon
, Rationale: Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown and glucose production in the liver.
8. Which symptom is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors and sweating
C. Fruity breath odor
D. Polyuria
Answer: B. Tremors and sweating
Rationale: Sympathetic nervous system activation during hypoglycemia causes tremors,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia.
9. The HbA1c test reflects average blood glucose over approximately:
A. 24 hours
B. One week
C. 2–3 months
D. One year
Answer: C. 2–3 months
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose during the lifespan of red blood cells.
10. Which gland produces thyroid hormones?
A. Adrenal gland
B. Thyroid gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Pancreas
Answer: B. Thyroid gland
Rationale: The thyroid produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate
metabolism.
11. Which condition is characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production?
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES 2026/2027 VERSION
1. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Insulin
Rationale: Insulin, produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, lowers blood glucose by
promoting glucose uptake into cells and storage as glycogen.
2. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is primarily caused by:
A. Insulin resistance
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Excess glucagon production
D. Obesity
Answer: B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells,
causing absolute insulin deficiency.
3. Which symptom is most commonly associated with hyperglycemia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Polyuria
C. Constipation
D. Hypothermia
Answer: B. Polyuria
Rationale: Elevated blood glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to excessive urination.
4. A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is expected to have:
,A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Kussmaul respirations
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: Deep, rapid respirations help compensate for metabolic acidosis in DKA.
5. Which laboratory finding is most consistent with DKA?
A. Blood glucose 55 mg/dL
B. Positive serum ketones
C. Low potassium only
D. Low urine glucose
Answer: B. Positive serum ketones
Rationale: Insulin deficiency causes fat breakdown, producing ketones and metabolic acidosis.
6. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) occurs most commonly in:
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Type 2 diabetes
C. Gestational diabetes only
D. Healthy adults
Answer: B. Type 2 diabetes
Rationale: HHS typically develops in patients with Type 2 diabetes and is characterized by
severe hyperglycemia with minimal ketosis.
7. Which hormone increases blood glucose levels?
A. Insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Calcitonin
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B. Glucagon
, Rationale: Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown and glucose production in the liver.
8. Which symptom is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Tremors and sweating
C. Fruity breath odor
D. Polyuria
Answer: B. Tremors and sweating
Rationale: Sympathetic nervous system activation during hypoglycemia causes tremors,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia.
9. The HbA1c test reflects average blood glucose over approximately:
A. 24 hours
B. One week
C. 2–3 months
D. One year
Answer: C. 2–3 months
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose during the lifespan of red blood cells.
10. Which gland produces thyroid hormones?
A. Adrenal gland
B. Thyroid gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Pancreas
Answer: B. Thyroid gland
Rationale: The thyroid produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate
metabolism.
11. Which condition is characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production?
