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Nursing 354 Adrenal Disorders Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which hormone is primarily produced by the adrenal cortex and helps
regulate sodium and potassium balance?
A. Cortisol
B. Epinephrine
C. Aldosterone
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: Aldosterone
Rationale: Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex. It
promotes sodium and water retention while increasing potassium excretion,
helping regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
2. Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla?
A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: Epinephrine
,Rationale: The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines, primarily epinephrine
and norepinephrine, which participate in the sympathetic stress response.
3. A patient with Addison disease is most likely to exhibit which electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Primary adrenal insufficiency causes decreased aldosterone
production, reducing potassium excretion and potentially causing hyperkalemia.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of chronic primary adrenal
insufficiency?
A. Moon face
B. Truncal obesity
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Exophthalmos
Answer: Hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Increased adrenocorticotropic hormone in primary adrenal
insufficiency can stimulate melanocytes, producing characteristic
hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes.
5. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect in a patient with Cushing
syndrome?
A. Weight loss
B. Hypotension
C. Truncal obesity
D. Hyperpigmentation
Answer: Truncal obesity
,Rationale: Excess cortisol commonly causes central or truncal obesity, along with
features such as moon face, muscle weakness, and thin skin.
6. Which medication is commonly used as glucocorticoid replacement for a
patient with Addison disease?
A. Furosemide
B. Metformin
C. Propranolol
D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: Hydrocortisone
Rationale: Hydrocortisone provides glucocorticoid replacement in adrenal
insufficiency and mimics the effects of endogenous cortisol.
7. Which symptom is most concerning for an acute adrenal crisis?
A. Mild headache
B. Increased appetite
C. Severe hypotension
D. Mild thirst
Answer: Severe hypotension
Rationale: Adrenal crisis can cause profound hypotension and shock because of
inadequate cortisol and, in primary adrenal insufficiency, inadequate
aldosterone.
8. A patient with Cushing syndrome has fragile skin. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Use vigorous massage
B. Apply adhesive tape frequently
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Handle the skin gently
Answer: Handle the skin gently
, Rationale: Excess cortisol causes skin thinning and increased susceptibility to
bruising and injury. Gentle handling helps prevent skin trauma.
9. Which laboratory finding is expected in Cushing syndrome?
A. Low blood glucose
B. Elevated blood glucose
C. Severe hypocalcemia
D. Low serum sodium in all cases
Answer: Elevated blood glucose
Rationale: Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis and decreases insulin sensitivity,
which can result in hyperglycemia.
10.Which finding is associated with pheochromocytoma?
A. Persistent bradycardia
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Paroxysmal hypertension
D. Hypothermia
Answer: Paroxysmal hypertension
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing adrenal tumor that
can cause episodic hypertension, headache, sweating, and palpitations.
11.Which symptom commonly occurs during a pheochromocytoma episode?
A. Constipation only
B. Severe headache
C. Hyporeflexia
D. Productive cough
Answer: Severe headache
Rationale: Excess catecholamine release can cause severe episodic headaches,
often accompanied by sweating, palpitations, and hypertension.
Nursing 354 Adrenal Disorders Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
1. Which hormone is primarily produced by the adrenal cortex and helps
regulate sodium and potassium balance?
A. Cortisol
B. Epinephrine
C. Aldosterone
D. Norepinephrine
Answer: Aldosterone
Rationale: Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex. It
promotes sodium and water retention while increasing potassium excretion,
helping regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
2. Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla?
A. Cortisol
B. Aldosterone
C. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: Epinephrine
,Rationale: The adrenal medulla produces catecholamines, primarily epinephrine
and norepinephrine, which participate in the sympathetic stress response.
3. A patient with Addison disease is most likely to exhibit which electrolyte
abnormality?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Primary adrenal insufficiency causes decreased aldosterone
production, reducing potassium excretion and potentially causing hyperkalemia.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of chronic primary adrenal
insufficiency?
A. Moon face
B. Truncal obesity
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Exophthalmos
Answer: Hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Increased adrenocorticotropic hormone in primary adrenal
insufficiency can stimulate melanocytes, producing characteristic
hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes.
5. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect in a patient with Cushing
syndrome?
A. Weight loss
B. Hypotension
C. Truncal obesity
D. Hyperpigmentation
Answer: Truncal obesity
,Rationale: Excess cortisol commonly causes central or truncal obesity, along with
features such as moon face, muscle weakness, and thin skin.
6. Which medication is commonly used as glucocorticoid replacement for a
patient with Addison disease?
A. Furosemide
B. Metformin
C. Propranolol
D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: Hydrocortisone
Rationale: Hydrocortisone provides glucocorticoid replacement in adrenal
insufficiency and mimics the effects of endogenous cortisol.
7. Which symptom is most concerning for an acute adrenal crisis?
A. Mild headache
B. Increased appetite
C. Severe hypotension
D. Mild thirst
Answer: Severe hypotension
Rationale: Adrenal crisis can cause profound hypotension and shock because of
inadequate cortisol and, in primary adrenal insufficiency, inadequate
aldosterone.
8. A patient with Cushing syndrome has fragile skin. Which nursing
intervention is appropriate?
A. Use vigorous massage
B. Apply adhesive tape frequently
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Handle the skin gently
Answer: Handle the skin gently
, Rationale: Excess cortisol causes skin thinning and increased susceptibility to
bruising and injury. Gentle handling helps prevent skin trauma.
9. Which laboratory finding is expected in Cushing syndrome?
A. Low blood glucose
B. Elevated blood glucose
C. Severe hypocalcemia
D. Low serum sodium in all cases
Answer: Elevated blood glucose
Rationale: Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis and decreases insulin sensitivity,
which can result in hyperglycemia.
10.Which finding is associated with pheochromocytoma?
A. Persistent bradycardia
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Paroxysmal hypertension
D. Hypothermia
Answer: Paroxysmal hypertension
Rationale: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing adrenal tumor that
can cause episodic hypertension, headache, sweating, and palpitations.
11.Which symptom commonly occurs during a pheochromocytoma episode?
A. Constipation only
B. Severe headache
C. Hyporeflexia
D. Productive cough
Answer: Severe headache
Rationale: Excess catecholamine release can cause severe episodic headaches,
often accompanied by sweating, palpitations, and hypertension.
