,USU MSN 570 Week 6 Content Quiz | Advanced
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting
cellular uptake and storage?
A) Glucagon
B) Insulin
C) Cortisol
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is an anabolic hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells that facilitates
glucose uptake into cells, promotes glycogen storage, and inhibits gluconeogenesis, thereby
lowering blood glucose.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is most likely to exhibit which of the following
pathophysiologic mechanisms?
A) Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C) Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D) Decreased insulin receptor sensitivity
Correct Answer: B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-
producing beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin
resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
3. Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which glucagon increases blood
glucose concentration?
,A) Stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver
B) Promoting glucose uptake in skeletal muscle
C) Inhibiting lipolysis in adipose tissue
D) Enhancing insulin secretion from beta cells
Correct Answer: A) Stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver
Rationale: Glucagon, secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, elevates blood glucose by
stimulating glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and glucose synthesis from non-
carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis) in the liver.
4. A 45-year-old obese patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Laboratory
findings reveal elevated fasting glucose and HbA1c. Which condition is most likely?
A) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
C) Diabetes insipidus
D) Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: B) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency, commonly associated with obesity. The classic symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia,
and polyphagia reflect hyperglycemia.
5. What is the primary mechanism of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Excess insulin secretion
B) Severe insulin deficiency leading to lipolysis and ketone production
C) Excessive fluid intake
D) Hyperaldosteronism
Correct Answer: B) Severe insulin deficiency leading to lipolysis and ketone production
, Rationale: DKA occurs when severe insulin deficiency causes uncontrolled lipolysis,
resulting in excessive ketone body production and metabolic acidosis. It is most common in
type 1 diabetes.
6. Which of the following is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus?
A) Coronary artery disease
B) Diabetic retinopathy
C) Peripheral arterial disease
D) Stroke
Correct Answer: B) Diabetic retinopathy
Rationale: Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication affecting small blood
vessels in the retina. Macrovascular complications include coronary artery disease, peripheral
arterial disease, and stroke.
7. A patient with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 650 mg/dL, serum osmolality of
340 mOsm/kg, and minimal ketones. Which condition is most likely?
A) Diabetic ketoacidosis
B) Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Lactic acidosis
Correct Answer: B) Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
Rationale: Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is characterized by severe
hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, and minimal ketosis, typically occurring in type 2 diabetes.
8. Which pathophysiologic mechanism explains the polyuria seen in uncontrolled diabetes
mellitus?
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels by promoting
cellular uptake and storage?
A) Glucagon
B) Insulin
C) Cortisol
D) Epinephrine
Correct Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is an anabolic hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells that facilitates
glucose uptake into cells, promotes glycogen storage, and inhibits gluconeogenesis, thereby
lowering blood glucose.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is most likely to exhibit which of the following
pathophysiologic mechanisms?
A) Insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C) Excessive glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D) Decreased insulin receptor sensitivity
Correct Answer: B) Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-
producing beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes involves insulin
resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
3. Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which glucagon increases blood
glucose concentration?
,A) Stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver
B) Promoting glucose uptake in skeletal muscle
C) Inhibiting lipolysis in adipose tissue
D) Enhancing insulin secretion from beta cells
Correct Answer: A) Stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver
Rationale: Glucagon, secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, elevates blood glucose by
stimulating glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) and glucose synthesis from non-
carbohydrate sources (gluconeogenesis) in the liver.
4. A 45-year-old obese patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Laboratory
findings reveal elevated fasting glucose and HbA1c. Which condition is most likely?
A) Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
C) Diabetes insipidus
D) Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: B) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency, commonly associated with obesity. The classic symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia,
and polyphagia reflect hyperglycemia.
5. What is the primary mechanism of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Excess insulin secretion
B) Severe insulin deficiency leading to lipolysis and ketone production
C) Excessive fluid intake
D) Hyperaldosteronism
Correct Answer: B) Severe insulin deficiency leading to lipolysis and ketone production
, Rationale: DKA occurs when severe insulin deficiency causes uncontrolled lipolysis,
resulting in excessive ketone body production and metabolic acidosis. It is most common in
type 1 diabetes.
6. Which of the following is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus?
A) Coronary artery disease
B) Diabetic retinopathy
C) Peripheral arterial disease
D) Stroke
Correct Answer: B) Diabetic retinopathy
Rationale: Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication affecting small blood
vessels in the retina. Macrovascular complications include coronary artery disease, peripheral
arterial disease, and stroke.
7. A patient with type 2 diabetes has a blood glucose level of 650 mg/dL, serum osmolality of
340 mOsm/kg, and minimal ketones. Which condition is most likely?
A) Diabetic ketoacidosis
B) Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Lactic acidosis
Correct Answer: B) Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
Rationale: Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is characterized by severe
hyperglycemia, hyperosmolality, and minimal ketosis, typically occurring in type 2 diabetes.
8. Which pathophysiologic mechanism explains the polyuria seen in uncontrolled diabetes
mellitus?
