Chapter 51: Endocrine Dysfunction
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement best describes hypopituitarism?
a. Growth is normal during the first 3
years of life.
b. Weight is usually more retarded than
height.
c. Skeletal proportions are normal for the
age.
d. Most of these children have subnormal
intelligence.
ANS: C
In children with hypopituitarism, the skeletal proportions are normal. Growth is within normal
limits for the first year of life. Height is usually more delayed than weight. Intelligence is not
affected by hypopituitarism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: pp. 1634-1635 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Assessment
2. Which is a condition that can result if there is hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) after
epiphyseal closure?
a. Dwarfism
b. Acromegaly
c. Gigantism
d. Cretinism
ANS: B
Excess GH after the closure of the epiphyseal plates results in acromegaly. Dwarfism is the
condition of being abnormally small. Gigantism occurs when there is hypersecretion of GH
before the closure of the epiphyseal plates. Cretinism is associated with hypothyroidism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1636 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Assessment
3. At what age is sexual development in boys and girls considered to be precocious?
a. Boys, 11 years; girls, 9 years
b. Boys, 12 years; girls, 10 years
c. Boys, 9 years; girls, 8 years
, d. Boys, 10 years; girls, 9.5 years
ANS: C
Manifestations of sexual development before age 9 in boys and 8 in girls are considered
precocious and should be investigated. However, recent research indicates that puberty is
beginning early in girls and it is suggested that precocious puberty may be evident as young as
6 or 7 years of age. Boys older than 9 years of age and girls older than 8 years of age fall within
the expected range of pubertal onset.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1637 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
4. A child is starting treatment for precocious puberty. This involves injections of which synthetic
substance?
a. Thyrotropin
b. Gonadotropins
c. Somatotropic hormone
d. Luteinizing hormone–releasing
hormone
ANS: D
Precocious puberty of central origin is treated with monthly subcutaneous injections of
luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone. Thyrotropin, gonadotropin, and somatotropic
hormone are not appropriate therapies for precocious puberty.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1638 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Implementation
5. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of which of structure?
a. Anterior pituitary
b. Posterior pituitary
c. Adrenal cortex
d. Adrenal medulla
ANS: B
The principal disorder of posterior pituitary hypofunction is diabetes insipidus. The anterior
pituitary produces growth hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormones, adrenocorticotropic
hormones, gonadotropin, prolactin, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The adrenal cortex
produces aldosterone, sex hormones, and glucocorticoids. The adrenal medulla produces
catecholamines.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1638
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement best describes hypopituitarism?
a. Growth is normal during the first 3
years of life.
b. Weight is usually more retarded than
height.
c. Skeletal proportions are normal for the
age.
d. Most of these children have subnormal
intelligence.
ANS: C
In children with hypopituitarism, the skeletal proportions are normal. Growth is within normal
limits for the first year of life. Height is usually more delayed than weight. Intelligence is not
affected by hypopituitarism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: pp. 1634-1635 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Assessment
2. Which is a condition that can result if there is hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) after
epiphyseal closure?
a. Dwarfism
b. Acromegaly
c. Gigantism
d. Cretinism
ANS: B
Excess GH after the closure of the epiphyseal plates results in acromegaly. Dwarfism is the
condition of being abnormally small. Gigantism occurs when there is hypersecretion of GH
before the closure of the epiphyseal plates. Cretinism is associated with hypothyroidism.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1636 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Assessment
3. At what age is sexual development in boys and girls considered to be precocious?
a. Boys, 11 years; girls, 9 years
b. Boys, 12 years; girls, 10 years
c. Boys, 9 years; girls, 8 years
, d. Boys, 10 years; girls, 9.5 years
ANS: C
Manifestations of sexual development before age 9 in boys and 8 in girls are considered
precocious and should be investigated. However, recent research indicates that puberty is
beginning early in girls and it is suggested that precocious puberty may be evident as young as
6 or 7 years of age. Boys older than 9 years of age and girls older than 8 years of age fall within
the expected range of pubertal onset.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1637 OBJ: Nursing Process: Diagnosis
4. A child is starting treatment for precocious puberty. This involves injections of which synthetic
substance?
a. Thyrotropin
b. Gonadotropins
c. Somatotropic hormone
d. Luteinizing hormone–releasing
hormone
ANS: D
Precocious puberty of central origin is treated with monthly subcutaneous injections of
luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone. Thyrotropin, gonadotropin, and somatotropic
hormone are not appropriate therapies for precocious puberty.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1638 OBJ: Nursing
Process: Implementation
5. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of which of structure?
a. Anterior pituitary
b. Posterior pituitary
c. Adrenal cortex
d. Adrenal medulla
ANS: B
The principal disorder of posterior pituitary hypofunction is diabetes insipidus. The anterior
pituitary produces growth hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormones, adrenocorticotropic
hormones, gonadotropin, prolactin, and melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The adrenal cortex
produces aldosterone, sex hormones, and glucocorticoids. The adrenal medulla produces
catecholamines.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1638
