AACN AGACNP Review Exam
2025 Questions and Answers
Cushing's Syndrome/Disease - ANSWER✔✔-cortisol excess typically caused by
pituitary adenoma 60-70% of cases.
Central obesity w/ extremity wasting.
dorsocervical fat pad.
rounded facies.
spontaneous bruising.
purple striae
hyperpigmentation
poor wound healing/ skin infections.
Dexamethasone suppression test.
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, 1mg dexamethasone at 2300 hours and measure serum cortisol at 0800.
Remove sources of excess and manage consequences ( HTN, hypokalemia,
hyperglycemia.)
Addison's disease - ANSWER✔✔-Primary
Caused by damage to the adrenal cortex (autoimmune, TB, metastatic disease,
deposition diseases, and drug induced) leading to a decrease in cortisol production.
Secondary
Caused by pituitary failure to release ACTH (in any hypopituitary disorder) causing a
decrease in cortisol production.
Sudden withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids leading to a decrease in cortisol
production from induced corticosteroid suppression.
diabetes insipidus (DI) - ANSWER✔✔-Insufficient ADH or decreased sensitivity to
ADH
Nephron cannot conserve water.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2025 Questions and Answers
Cushing's Syndrome/Disease - ANSWER✔✔-cortisol excess typically caused by
pituitary adenoma 60-70% of cases.
Central obesity w/ extremity wasting.
dorsocervical fat pad.
rounded facies.
spontaneous bruising.
purple striae
hyperpigmentation
poor wound healing/ skin infections.
Dexamethasone suppression test.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, 1mg dexamethasone at 2300 hours and measure serum cortisol at 0800.
Remove sources of excess and manage consequences ( HTN, hypokalemia,
hyperglycemia.)
Addison's disease - ANSWER✔✔-Primary
Caused by damage to the adrenal cortex (autoimmune, TB, metastatic disease,
deposition diseases, and drug induced) leading to a decrease in cortisol production.
Secondary
Caused by pituitary failure to release ACTH (in any hypopituitary disorder) causing a
decrease in cortisol production.
Sudden withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids leading to a decrease in cortisol
production from induced corticosteroid suppression.
diabetes insipidus (DI) - ANSWER✔✔-Insufficient ADH or decreased sensitivity to
ADH
Nephron cannot conserve water.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED