1
Chapter 40: Assessment of Endocrine
Function Questions and Verified Answers
Graded A
A 60-year-old patient asks why endocrine testing is being done. Which is
the best response for the nurse to make?
1) "Endocrine organs atrophy with aging."
2) "Endocrine function can change through the lifespan."
3) "Endocrine function remains the same through the lifespan."
4) "Endocrine testing identifies which hormone replacement therapy you
will need." - ANS2
Changes in endocrine function are associated with aging, and early
detection and treatment can minimize long-term consequences.
A patient has not eaten for 18 hours because of diagnostic testing. Which
pancreatic hormone is maintaining this patient's blood glucose level?
1) Insulin
2) Cortisol
3) Glucagon
4) Epinephrine - ANS3
In response to low blood glucose levels, the hormone glucagon is released
from the pancreatic alpha cells. Glucagon stimulates production and
release of glucose from glycogen stores in the liver leading to increased
blood glucose levels.
1
, 2
A patient is being evaluated for elevated levels of antidiuretic hormone
(ADH). What findings would cause ADH to be secreted? Select all that
apply.
1) Dehydration
2) Decreased heart rate
3) Decreased blood pressure
4) Increased serum osmolarity
5) Elevated blood glucose level - ANS134
Antidiuretic hormone is secreted in response to dehydration, decreased
BP, and increased serum osmolarity
A patient is diagnosed with a disorder of the hypothalamus. To which other
gland is this structure attached?
1) Thyroid
2) Thalamus
3) Pituitary gland
4) Adrenal glands - ANS3
The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland by the infundibulum.
A patient is diagnosed with insufficient growth hormone. What effects will
this have on the patient? Select all that apply.
1) Change in hair color
2) Alteration in bone density
3) Sluggish protein synthesis
4) Increased use of fatty acids
5) Increase in circulating blood glucose - ANS2345
2
, 3
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland affects
skin and hair color.
Growth hormone is necessary for maintaining bone density.
Growth hormone facilitates protein synthesis.
Growth hormone increases the use of fatty acids.
Growth hormone affects blood glucose levels by decreasing the use of
glucose for energy.
A patient is experiencing dysfunction of the hypothalamus. Which
hormones will be affected by this dysfunction? Select all that apply.
1) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
2) Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
3) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
4) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH)
5) Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) - ANS2345
FSH is controlled by the anterior pituitary gland.
A patient is having a test to suppress cortisol levels. Which response
suggests that additional testing of the adrenal cortex would be required?
1) Increase in urine output
2) Increase in cortisol level
3) Decrease in cortisol level
4) No change in cortisol level - ANS4
Suppression tests are indicated when there are excess levels of circulating
hormone. When levels of circulating hormone do not decrease with
suppression testing, hyperfunction of the gland is indicated.
3
Chapter 40: Assessment of Endocrine
Function Questions and Verified Answers
Graded A
A 60-year-old patient asks why endocrine testing is being done. Which is
the best response for the nurse to make?
1) "Endocrine organs atrophy with aging."
2) "Endocrine function can change through the lifespan."
3) "Endocrine function remains the same through the lifespan."
4) "Endocrine testing identifies which hormone replacement therapy you
will need." - ANS2
Changes in endocrine function are associated with aging, and early
detection and treatment can minimize long-term consequences.
A patient has not eaten for 18 hours because of diagnostic testing. Which
pancreatic hormone is maintaining this patient's blood glucose level?
1) Insulin
2) Cortisol
3) Glucagon
4) Epinephrine - ANS3
In response to low blood glucose levels, the hormone glucagon is released
from the pancreatic alpha cells. Glucagon stimulates production and
release of glucose from glycogen stores in the liver leading to increased
blood glucose levels.
1
, 2
A patient is being evaluated for elevated levels of antidiuretic hormone
(ADH). What findings would cause ADH to be secreted? Select all that
apply.
1) Dehydration
2) Decreased heart rate
3) Decreased blood pressure
4) Increased serum osmolarity
5) Elevated blood glucose level - ANS134
Antidiuretic hormone is secreted in response to dehydration, decreased
BP, and increased serum osmolarity
A patient is diagnosed with a disorder of the hypothalamus. To which other
gland is this structure attached?
1) Thyroid
2) Thalamus
3) Pituitary gland
4) Adrenal glands - ANS3
The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland by the infundibulum.
A patient is diagnosed with insufficient growth hormone. What effects will
this have on the patient? Select all that apply.
1) Change in hair color
2) Alteration in bone density
3) Sluggish protein synthesis
4) Increased use of fatty acids
5) Increase in circulating blood glucose - ANS2345
2
, 3
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland affects
skin and hair color.
Growth hormone is necessary for maintaining bone density.
Growth hormone facilitates protein synthesis.
Growth hormone increases the use of fatty acids.
Growth hormone affects blood glucose levels by decreasing the use of
glucose for energy.
A patient is experiencing dysfunction of the hypothalamus. Which
hormones will be affected by this dysfunction? Select all that apply.
1) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
2) Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
3) Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
4) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH)
5) Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) - ANS2345
FSH is controlled by the anterior pituitary gland.
A patient is having a test to suppress cortisol levels. Which response
suggests that additional testing of the adrenal cortex would be required?
1) Increase in urine output
2) Increase in cortisol level
3) Decrease in cortisol level
4) No change in cortisol level - ANS4
Suppression tests are indicated when there are excess levels of circulating
hormone. When levels of circulating hormone do not decrease with
suppression testing, hyperfunction of the gland is indicated.
3
