NSG 4100 Exam 2: Endocrine
Disorders 2026
1. A patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia is most likely to exhibit which of the following signs?
A) Hirsutism
B) Baldness
C) Weight gain
D) Hypertension
ANSWER: B) Baldness
Rationale: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is associated with excess androgen production, which can lead
to baldness in affected individuals. Other options are not characteristic primary signs of this condition.
2. A patient on long-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy should be encouraged to perform which type
of exercise?
A) Aerobic exercises
B) Weight-bearing exercises
C) Stretching exercises
D) Swimming exercises
ANSWER: B) Weight-bearing exercises
Rationale: High-dose corticosteroids can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises
help promote bone formation and maintain bone density, reducing the risk of fractures.
,3. What is the primary cardiac monitoring concern for a patient experiencing an Addison's exacerbation?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Tachycardia
ANSWER: B) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: In Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency leads to decreased aldosterone production, causing
potassium retention. Hyperkalemia can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, making telemetry
monitoring essential.
4. What is the emergency treatment for a patient experiencing an Addisonian crisis?
A) IV Normal Saline
B) IV Hydrocortisone
C) Oral Prednisone
D) IV Dextrose
ANSWER: B) IV Hydrocortisone
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by acute adrenal insufficiency.
Immediate IV hydrocortisone administration is the priority treatment to replace deficient corticosteroids
and prevent cardiovascular collapse.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Cushing's syndrome. Which nursing intervention is most
important?
A) Assess for skin breakdown with every shift turns and assessment
B) Encourage high-calorie diet
C) Restrict fluid intake
,D) Monitor for hypoglycemia
ANSWER: A) Assess for skin breakdown with every shift turns and assessment
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome causes thin, fragile skin due to protein catabolism, increasing the risk of
skin breakdown, bruising, and poor wound healing. Frequent skin assessment and repositioning are
critical interventions.
6. Which dietary recommendation is most appropriate for a patient with Cushing's syndrome?
A) High carbohydrates, low protein
B) Low carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and roasted chicken
C) High sodium, high potassium
D) Low fat, high sugar
ANSWER: B) Low carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and roasted chicken
Rationale: Patients with Cushing's syndrome need to control blood glucose levels due to corticosteroid-
induced hyperglycemia. A diet low in carbohydrates with lean proteins and fresh produce helps manage
weight and glucose levels.
7. Which signs and symptoms are associated with hypoaldosteronism?
A) Light skin pigmentation, hypertension, hyperactivity
B) Dark pigmentation, low blood pressure, and apathy
C) Pallor, tachycardia, and fever
D) Flushing, bradycardia, and anxiety
ANSWER: B) Dark pigmentation, low blood pressure, and apathy
Rationale: Hypoaldosteronism leads to decreased sodium retention and potassium excretion, causing
hypotension and electrolyte imbalances. Dark pigmentation occurs due to increased ACTH, and apathy
results from chronic fatigue and electrolyte disturbances.
, 8. A patient on potassium-sparing diuretics should be advised to avoid what?
A) Salt substitutes
B) High-fiber foods
C) Caffeine
D) Dairy products
ANSWER: A) Salt substitutes
Rationale: Salt substitutes often contain potassium chloride. When combined with potassium-sparing
diuretics, this can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia. Patients should be educated to avoid these
products.
9. What condition is most likely to develop from extended steroid use?
A) Addison's disease
B) Cushing's syndrome
C) Diabetes insipidus
D) Hyperthyroidism
ANSWER: B) Cushing's syndrome
Rationale: Prolonged exogenous corticosteroid use causes iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome due to the
body's response to elevated cortisol levels, leading to characteristic features such as weight gain, moon
face, and hyperglycemia.
10. Why are patients with Cushing's syndrome at high risk for infection?
A) Decreased white blood cell count
B) Immunosuppression from corticosteroids
C) Increased body temperature
D) Poor wound healing
Disorders 2026
1. A patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia is most likely to exhibit which of the following signs?
A) Hirsutism
B) Baldness
C) Weight gain
D) Hypertension
ANSWER: B) Baldness
Rationale: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is associated with excess androgen production, which can lead
to baldness in affected individuals. Other options are not characteristic primary signs of this condition.
2. A patient on long-term high-dose corticosteroid therapy should be encouraged to perform which type
of exercise?
A) Aerobic exercises
B) Weight-bearing exercises
C) Stretching exercises
D) Swimming exercises
ANSWER: B) Weight-bearing exercises
Rationale: High-dose corticosteroids can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises
help promote bone formation and maintain bone density, reducing the risk of fractures.
,3. What is the primary cardiac monitoring concern for a patient experiencing an Addison's exacerbation?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Tachycardia
ANSWER: B) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: In Addison's disease, adrenal insufficiency leads to decreased aldosterone production, causing
potassium retention. Hyperkalemia can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, making telemetry
monitoring essential.
4. What is the emergency treatment for a patient experiencing an Addisonian crisis?
A) IV Normal Saline
B) IV Hydrocortisone
C) Oral Prednisone
D) IV Dextrose
ANSWER: B) IV Hydrocortisone
Rationale: Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency caused by acute adrenal insufficiency.
Immediate IV hydrocortisone administration is the priority treatment to replace deficient corticosteroids
and prevent cardiovascular collapse.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Cushing's syndrome. Which nursing intervention is most
important?
A) Assess for skin breakdown with every shift turns and assessment
B) Encourage high-calorie diet
C) Restrict fluid intake
,D) Monitor for hypoglycemia
ANSWER: A) Assess for skin breakdown with every shift turns and assessment
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome causes thin, fragile skin due to protein catabolism, increasing the risk of
skin breakdown, bruising, and poor wound healing. Frequent skin assessment and repositioning are
critical interventions.
6. Which dietary recommendation is most appropriate for a patient with Cushing's syndrome?
A) High carbohydrates, low protein
B) Low carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and roasted chicken
C) High sodium, high potassium
D) Low fat, high sugar
ANSWER: B) Low carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, and roasted chicken
Rationale: Patients with Cushing's syndrome need to control blood glucose levels due to corticosteroid-
induced hyperglycemia. A diet low in carbohydrates with lean proteins and fresh produce helps manage
weight and glucose levels.
7. Which signs and symptoms are associated with hypoaldosteronism?
A) Light skin pigmentation, hypertension, hyperactivity
B) Dark pigmentation, low blood pressure, and apathy
C) Pallor, tachycardia, and fever
D) Flushing, bradycardia, and anxiety
ANSWER: B) Dark pigmentation, low blood pressure, and apathy
Rationale: Hypoaldosteronism leads to decreased sodium retention and potassium excretion, causing
hypotension and electrolyte imbalances. Dark pigmentation occurs due to increased ACTH, and apathy
results from chronic fatigue and electrolyte disturbances.
, 8. A patient on potassium-sparing diuretics should be advised to avoid what?
A) Salt substitutes
B) High-fiber foods
C) Caffeine
D) Dairy products
ANSWER: A) Salt substitutes
Rationale: Salt substitutes often contain potassium chloride. When combined with potassium-sparing
diuretics, this can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia. Patients should be educated to avoid these
products.
9. What condition is most likely to develop from extended steroid use?
A) Addison's disease
B) Cushing's syndrome
C) Diabetes insipidus
D) Hyperthyroidism
ANSWER: B) Cushing's syndrome
Rationale: Prolonged exogenous corticosteroid use causes iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome due to the
body's response to elevated cortisol levels, leading to characteristic features such as weight gain, moon
face, and hyperglycemia.
10. Why are patients with Cushing's syndrome at high risk for infection?
A) Decreased white blood cell count
B) Immunosuppression from corticosteroids
C) Increased body temperature
D) Poor wound healing
