BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology
II w/Lab | Module 1 Exam Review
Practice Examination
Instructions: This examination contains 150 multiple-choice
questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C, D). Select the
single best answer for each question. The Correct Answer and a
detailed explanation follow each question.
Question 1
A patient presents with a tumor of the anterior pituitary gland that secretes
excess growth hormone. Which of the following is the most likely clinical
manifestation?
A. Weight loss and hyperthyroidism
B. Acromegaly with enlargement of hands, feet, and jaw
C. Cushing's syndrome with moon face and truncal obesity
D. Diabetes insipidus with polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Excess growth hormone in adults causes acromegaly, characterized
by bony and soft tissue enlargement of extremities and face.
,Question 2
A 32-year-old woman is diagnosed with a prolactinoma. Which of the following
symptoms would she most likely experience?
A. Amenorrhea and galactorrhea
B. Excessive hair growth and acne
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
D. Polyuria and dehydration
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Prolactin inhibits GnRH release, causing amenorrhea, and stimulates
milk production, leading to galactorrhea in non-lactating women.
Question 3
Which hormone is produced by the parathyroid glands, and what is its primary
physiological action?
A. Calcitonin; decreases blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclasts
B. Parathyroid hormone; increases blood calcium by stimulating osteoclasts and
renal calcium reabsorption
C. Thyroxine; increases metabolic rate and calcium mobilization
D. Aldosterone; increases sodium reabsorption and calcium excretion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: PTH raises blood calcium through osteoclast activation, renal
reabsorption, and activation of vitamin D for intestinal absorption.
Question 4
,A patient with severe hypocalcemia presents with muscle spasms and tetany.
Which gland is most likely dysfunctional?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal cortex
C. Parathyroid glands
D. Posterior pituitary
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Parathyroid glands secrete PTH, which maintains serum calcium;
their dysfunction causes hypocalcemia and neuromuscular irritability.
Question 5
A patient with Addison's disease is at risk for which life-threatening electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
D. Hyperchloremia and metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Aldosterone deficiency impairs sodium reabsorption and potassium
excretion, causing hyponatremia and hyperkalemia.
Question 6
Which of the following best describes the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal
system?
A. A network of veins connecting the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary
B. A vascular connection allowing hypothalamic hormones to reach the anterior
pituitary
, C. Lymphatic channels that drain hormones from the pituitary
D. Nerve fibers that transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the adrenal
glands
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The portal system carries releasing and inhibiting hormones from the
hypothalamus directly to the anterior pituitary for rapid regulation.
Question 7
A patient is administered exogenous corticosteroids for an extended period.
Which complication is most directly related to the medication's effect on bone?
A. Osteoporosis due to suppressed osteoblast activity
B. Osteopetrosis due to enhanced osteoclast function
C. Rickets due to vitamin D deficiency
D. Paget's disease due to increased bone turnover
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Glucocorticoids inhibit osteoblast function and reduce calcium
absorption, leading to steroid-induced osteoporosis with prolonged use.
Question 8
Which of the following hormones is released by the posterior pituitary?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
B. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C
II w/Lab | Module 1 Exam Review
Practice Examination
Instructions: This examination contains 150 multiple-choice
questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C, D). Select the
single best answer for each question. The Correct Answer and a
detailed explanation follow each question.
Question 1
A patient presents with a tumor of the anterior pituitary gland that secretes
excess growth hormone. Which of the following is the most likely clinical
manifestation?
A. Weight loss and hyperthyroidism
B. Acromegaly with enlargement of hands, feet, and jaw
C. Cushing's syndrome with moon face and truncal obesity
D. Diabetes insipidus with polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Excess growth hormone in adults causes acromegaly, characterized
by bony and soft tissue enlargement of extremities and face.
,Question 2
A 32-year-old woman is diagnosed with a prolactinoma. Which of the following
symptoms would she most likely experience?
A. Amenorrhea and galactorrhea
B. Excessive hair growth and acne
C. Hypertension and hypokalemia
D. Polyuria and dehydration
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Prolactin inhibits GnRH release, causing amenorrhea, and stimulates
milk production, leading to galactorrhea in non-lactating women.
Question 3
Which hormone is produced by the parathyroid glands, and what is its primary
physiological action?
A. Calcitonin; decreases blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclasts
B. Parathyroid hormone; increases blood calcium by stimulating osteoclasts and
renal calcium reabsorption
C. Thyroxine; increases metabolic rate and calcium mobilization
D. Aldosterone; increases sodium reabsorption and calcium excretion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: PTH raises blood calcium through osteoclast activation, renal
reabsorption, and activation of vitamin D for intestinal absorption.
Question 4
,A patient with severe hypocalcemia presents with muscle spasms and tetany.
Which gland is most likely dysfunctional?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal cortex
C. Parathyroid glands
D. Posterior pituitary
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Parathyroid glands secrete PTH, which maintains serum calcium;
their dysfunction causes hypocalcemia and neuromuscular irritability.
Question 5
A patient with Addison's disease is at risk for which life-threatening electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia
D. Hyperchloremia and metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Aldosterone deficiency impairs sodium reabsorption and potassium
excretion, causing hyponatremia and hyperkalemia.
Question 6
Which of the following best describes the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal
system?
A. A network of veins connecting the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary
B. A vascular connection allowing hypothalamic hormones to reach the anterior
pituitary
, C. Lymphatic channels that drain hormones from the pituitary
D. Nerve fibers that transport hormones from the hypothalamus to the adrenal
glands
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The portal system carries releasing and inhibiting hormones from the
hypothalamus directly to the anterior pituitary for rapid regulation.
Question 7
A patient is administered exogenous corticosteroids for an extended period.
Which complication is most directly related to the medication's effect on bone?
A. Osteoporosis due to suppressed osteoblast activity
B. Osteopetrosis due to enhanced osteoclast function
C. Rickets due to vitamin D deficiency
D. Paget's disease due to increased bone turnover
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Glucocorticoids inhibit osteoblast function and reduce calcium
absorption, leading to steroid-induced osteoporosis with prolonged use.
Question 8
Which of the following hormones is released by the posterior pituitary?
A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
B. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Prolactin
Correct Answer: C
