NURS 5315 Endocrine Practice Test
200 Latest Questions & Correct Answers with
Rationales
UTA Advanced Pathophysiology – Module 8
Endocrine Review | 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive practice test contains 200 verified questions and answers for
the NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 8 Endocrine review at the
University of Texas at Arlington. The questions cover all essential endocrine topics
including hormonal regulation, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic disorders,
and calcium/parathyroid pathophysiology . Each question includes a detailed
rationale to reinforce learning and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Endocrine System Fundamentals 1-25 Hormonal regulation, feedback loops,
master gland, receptor mechanisms
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis 26-50 Pituitary tumors, panhypopituitarism, GH
disorders, SIADH, DI
Thyroid Pathophysiology 51-70 Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Graves'
disease, Hashimoto's
Adrenal Pathophysiology 71-100 Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease,
aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma
Pancreatic & Diabetes Pathophysiology 101-150 Type 1/2 DM, DKA, HHS,
insulin physiology, GLP-1, amylin
Calcium & Parathyroid Pathophysiology 151-170 Hyperparathyroidism,
hypoparathyroidism, calcium disorders
,Endocrine Pharmacology & Clinical Management 171-200 Antithyroid drugs,
diabetes medications, hormone replacement
SECTION 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS & HORMONAL REGULATION
(Questions 1-25)
Question 1: Which gland is considered the "master gland" of the endocrine
system?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Pituitary gland
C) Thyroid gland
D) Adrenal gland
E) Pineal gland
Correct Answer: B) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it
secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and other endocrine gland
functions. It is controlled by the hypothalamus, which acts as the control center
for the endocrine system, releasing hormones that influence the pituitary gland .
Question 2: Negative feedback loops in the endocrine system function to:
A) Amplify hormone production until a specific endpoint is reached
B) Maintain hormone levels within a healthy range by inhibiting further
production
,C) Create cyclical variations in hormone levels
D) Allow the body to respond to acute stressors
Correct Answer: B) Maintain hormone levels within a healthy range by inhibiting
further production
Rationale: Negative feedback loops are the primary mechanism for maintaining
homeostasis in the endocrine system. When hormone levels rise above the set
point, they inhibit further production of that hormone, keeping levels within a
healthy range . High cortisol levels, for example, inhibit CRH and ACTH secretion,
preventing excessive cortisol production .
Question 3: What is the correct sequence of hormonal control in the
hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis?
A) Hypothalamus releases TSH → Pituitary releases TRH → Thyroid produces
more T3/T4
B) Hypothalamus releases TRH → Pituitary releases TSH → Thyroid produces more
T3/T4
C) Thyroid releases TRH → Hypothalamus releases TSH → Pituitary produces more
T3/T4
D) Pituitary releases TRH → Hypothalamus releases TSH → Thyroid produces
more T3/T4
Correct Answer: B) Hypothalamus releases TRH → Pituitary releases TSH →
Thyroid produces more T3/T4
, Rationale: When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus releases
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to
release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH, in turn, stimulates the thyroid
gland to produce more thyroid hormone. As thyroid hormone levels rise, they
feed back to the pituitary and hypothalamus, suppressing the release of TRH and
TSH .
Question 4: Which hormone is secreted by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal
cortex?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Androgens
D) Epinephrine
E) Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B) Aldosterone
Rationale: The adrenal cortex has three zones: the zona glomerulosa (outermost)
produces mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone, which regulates blood
pressure and electrolytes. The zona fasciculata produces glucocorticoids (cortisol),
and the zona reticularis produces gonadocorticoids (androgens) .
Question 5: A positive feedback loop is best exemplified by:
A) Thyroid hormone regulation
B) Blood glucose regulation
200 Latest Questions & Correct Answers with
Rationales
UTA Advanced Pathophysiology – Module 8
Endocrine Review | 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive practice test contains 200 verified questions and answers for
the NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 8 Endocrine review at the
University of Texas at Arlington. The questions cover all essential endocrine topics
including hormonal regulation, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreatic disorders,
and calcium/parathyroid pathophysiology . Each question includes a detailed
rationale to reinforce learning and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Endocrine System Fundamentals 1-25 Hormonal regulation, feedback loops,
master gland, receptor mechanisms
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis 26-50 Pituitary tumors, panhypopituitarism, GH
disorders, SIADH, DI
Thyroid Pathophysiology 51-70 Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Graves'
disease, Hashimoto's
Adrenal Pathophysiology 71-100 Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease,
aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma
Pancreatic & Diabetes Pathophysiology 101-150 Type 1/2 DM, DKA, HHS,
insulin physiology, GLP-1, amylin
Calcium & Parathyroid Pathophysiology 151-170 Hyperparathyroidism,
hypoparathyroidism, calcium disorders
,Endocrine Pharmacology & Clinical Management 171-200 Antithyroid drugs,
diabetes medications, hormone replacement
SECTION 1: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS & HORMONAL REGULATION
(Questions 1-25)
Question 1: Which gland is considered the "master gland" of the endocrine
system?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Pituitary gland
C) Thyroid gland
D) Adrenal gland
E) Pineal gland
Correct Answer: B) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it
secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and other endocrine gland
functions. It is controlled by the hypothalamus, which acts as the control center
for the endocrine system, releasing hormones that influence the pituitary gland .
Question 2: Negative feedback loops in the endocrine system function to:
A) Amplify hormone production until a specific endpoint is reached
B) Maintain hormone levels within a healthy range by inhibiting further
production
,C) Create cyclical variations in hormone levels
D) Allow the body to respond to acute stressors
Correct Answer: B) Maintain hormone levels within a healthy range by inhibiting
further production
Rationale: Negative feedback loops are the primary mechanism for maintaining
homeostasis in the endocrine system. When hormone levels rise above the set
point, they inhibit further production of that hormone, keeping levels within a
healthy range . High cortisol levels, for example, inhibit CRH and ACTH secretion,
preventing excessive cortisol production .
Question 3: What is the correct sequence of hormonal control in the
hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis?
A) Hypothalamus releases TSH → Pituitary releases TRH → Thyroid produces
more T3/T4
B) Hypothalamus releases TRH → Pituitary releases TSH → Thyroid produces more
T3/T4
C) Thyroid releases TRH → Hypothalamus releases TSH → Pituitary produces more
T3/T4
D) Pituitary releases TRH → Hypothalamus releases TSH → Thyroid produces
more T3/T4
Correct Answer: B) Hypothalamus releases TRH → Pituitary releases TSH →
Thyroid produces more T3/T4
, Rationale: When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus releases
thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to
release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH, in turn, stimulates the thyroid
gland to produce more thyroid hormone. As thyroid hormone levels rise, they
feed back to the pituitary and hypothalamus, suppressing the release of TRH and
TSH .
Question 4: Which hormone is secreted by the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal
cortex?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Androgens
D) Epinephrine
E) Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B) Aldosterone
Rationale: The adrenal cortex has three zones: the zona glomerulosa (outermost)
produces mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone, which regulates blood
pressure and electrolytes. The zona fasciculata produces glucocorticoids (cortisol),
and the zona reticularis produces gonadocorticoids (androgens) .
Question 5: A positive feedback loop is best exemplified by:
A) Thyroid hormone regulation
B) Blood glucose regulation
