,South University NSG 5003 Week 6 Knowledge Check Quiz
| Adv Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which organ is stimulated during the alarm phase of the general adaptation
syndrome?
A) Adrenal cortex
B) Pituitary gland
C) Hypothalamus
D) Thyroid gland
Correct Answer: Hypothalamus
Rationale: The alarm phase is initiated when the hypothalamus stimulates the
sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is
activated later during the resistance phase, while the pituitary and thyroid glands
are not the primary organs stimulated during this initial phase. Recognizing this
sequence is essential for understanding the stress response.
2. During an anticipatory response to stress, the reaction from the limbic system is
stimulated by which structure?
A) Adrenal medulla
B) Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
C) Anterior pituitary
D) Pineal gland
Correct Answer: Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
,Rationale: The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus stimulates the
limbic system during an anticipatory stress response, integrating emotional and
cognitive processing. The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines, the anterior
pituitary releases ACTH, and the pineal gland regulates circadian rhythms.
Understanding this pathway is crucial for stress physiology.
3. Which hormone prompts increased anxiety, vigilance, and arousal during a
stress response?
A) Cortisol
B) Norepinephrine
C) Aldosterone
D) Insulin
Correct Answer: Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine, released during the stress response, increases
anxiety, vigilance, and arousal by activating the sympathetic nervous system.
Cortisol mobilizes glucose and suppresses immunity, aldosterone regulates sodium
and water balance, and insulin lowers blood glucose. Recognizing the specific
effects of norepinephrine is important.
4. Perceived stress elicits an emotional, anticipatory response that begins in which
structure?
A) Adrenal cortex
B) Limbic system
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Spinal cord
, Correct Answer: Limbic system
Rationale: The limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus,
processes the emotional and anticipatory aspects of perceived stress. The adrenal
cortex releases cortisol, the medulla oblongata regulates vital functions, and the
spinal cord transmits reflexes. Understanding the limbic system's role is
fundamental to stress psychology.
5. During a stress response, the helper T1 (Th1) response is suppressed by which
hormone?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Epinephrine
D) Insulin
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol suppresses the helper T1 response, shifting the immune
system toward a Th2-dominant state during stress. Aldosterone regulates
electrolyte balance, epinephrine mediates acute stress responses, and insulin
regulates glucose. Recognizing cortisol's immunosuppressive effects is essential
for understanding stress-induced immune changes.
6. What is the effect that low serum albumin has on the central stress response?
A) Impaired circulation of epinephrine and norepinephrine
B) Enhanced cortisol binding
C) Increased aldosterone secretion
D) Decreased ACTH release
| Adv Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which organ is stimulated during the alarm phase of the general adaptation
syndrome?
A) Adrenal cortex
B) Pituitary gland
C) Hypothalamus
D) Thyroid gland
Correct Answer: Hypothalamus
Rationale: The alarm phase is initiated when the hypothalamus stimulates the
sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is
activated later during the resistance phase, while the pituitary and thyroid glands
are not the primary organs stimulated during this initial phase. Recognizing this
sequence is essential for understanding the stress response.
2. During an anticipatory response to stress, the reaction from the limbic system is
stimulated by which structure?
A) Adrenal medulla
B) Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
C) Anterior pituitary
D) Pineal gland
Correct Answer: Paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
,Rationale: The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus stimulates the
limbic system during an anticipatory stress response, integrating emotional and
cognitive processing. The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines, the anterior
pituitary releases ACTH, and the pineal gland regulates circadian rhythms.
Understanding this pathway is crucial for stress physiology.
3. Which hormone prompts increased anxiety, vigilance, and arousal during a
stress response?
A) Cortisol
B) Norepinephrine
C) Aldosterone
D) Insulin
Correct Answer: Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine, released during the stress response, increases
anxiety, vigilance, and arousal by activating the sympathetic nervous system.
Cortisol mobilizes glucose and suppresses immunity, aldosterone regulates sodium
and water balance, and insulin lowers blood glucose. Recognizing the specific
effects of norepinephrine is important.
4. Perceived stress elicits an emotional, anticipatory response that begins in which
structure?
A) Adrenal cortex
B) Limbic system
C) Medulla oblongata
D) Spinal cord
, Correct Answer: Limbic system
Rationale: The limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus,
processes the emotional and anticipatory aspects of perceived stress. The adrenal
cortex releases cortisol, the medulla oblongata regulates vital functions, and the
spinal cord transmits reflexes. Understanding the limbic system's role is
fundamental to stress psychology.
5. During a stress response, the helper T1 (Th1) response is suppressed by which
hormone?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Epinephrine
D) Insulin
Correct Answer: Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol suppresses the helper T1 response, shifting the immune
system toward a Th2-dominant state during stress. Aldosterone regulates
electrolyte balance, epinephrine mediates acute stress responses, and insulin
regulates glucose. Recognizing cortisol's immunosuppressive effects is essential
for understanding stress-induced immune changes.
6. What is the effect that low serum albumin has on the central stress response?
A) Impaired circulation of epinephrine and norepinephrine
B) Enhanced cortisol binding
C) Increased aldosterone secretion
D) Decreased ACTH release
