NURS 3515 Endocrine Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025-2026
Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Thyroid gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland - Answers Answer: C) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland controls the activity of several other endocrine glands, making it
the "master gland."
What hormone is primarily responsible for regulating blood sugar levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Insulin
C) Cortisol
D) Aldosterone - Answers Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose.
Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress?
A) Cortisol
B) Epinephrine
C) Aldosterone
D) Testosterone - Answers Answer: B) Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine (adrenaline) is produced in response to stress, enhancing the fight-or-
flight response.
What hormone does the pineal gland produce?
A) Cortisol
,B) Melatonin
C) Insulin
D) Oxytocin - Answers Answer: B) Melatonin
Rationale: The pineal gland releases melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.
What is the function of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
A) Lowers blood calcium levels
B) Increases blood calcium levels
C) Regulates blood pressure
D) Stimulates metabolism - Answers Answer: B) Increases blood calcium levels
Rationale: PTH promotes calcium release from bones, absorption in the intestine, and
reabsorption in the kidneys.
Which of the following hormones is NOT secreted by the anterior pituitary?
A) Growth hormone (GH)
B) Prolactin (PRL)
C) Oxytocin
D) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - Answers Answer: C) Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin is secreted by the posterior pituitary, while the anterior pituitary secretes GH,
PRL, and ACTH.
What type of hormone can directly pass through the cell membrane?
A) Water-soluble hormones
B) Peptide hormones
C) Lipid-soluble hormones
,D) Protein hormones - Answers Answer: C) Lipid-soluble hormones
Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (e.g., steroid hormones) can cross cell membranes and
directly affect gene expression.
Which hormone regulates the body's metabolic rate?
A) Insulin
B) Thyroxine (T4)
C) Prolactin
D) Glucagon - Answers Answer: B) Thyroxine (T4)
Rationale: Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) regulate metabolism and energy use.
What mechanism controls most hormone secretion?
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Direct nervous system control
D) Enzyme inhibition - Answers Answer: B) Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback loops help maintain hormonal balance by regulating secretion
based on existing levels.
Which hormone helps retain sodium and water in the body, affecting blood pressure?
A) Insulin
B) Aldosterone
C) Cortisol
D) Epinephrine - Answers Answer: B) Aldosterone
Rationale: Aldosterone, secreted by the adrenal cortex, helps regulate sodium retention and
potassium excretion.
, What gland is directly controlled by the hypothalamus via releasing hormones?
A) Adrenal gland
B) Pituitary gland
C) Thyroid gland
D) Pancreas - Answers Answer: B) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes releasing hormones that regulate pituitary hormone
secretion.
Which hormone is essential for milk ejection during breastfeeding?
A) Oxytocin
B) Prolactin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone - Answers Answer: A) Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin stimulates milk ejection during breastfeeding.
What is the primary function of glucagon?
A) Increase blood sugar levels
B) Decrease blood sugar levels
C) Increase calcium levels
D) Promote protein synthesis - Answers Answer: A) Increase blood sugar levels
Rationale: Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown to raise blood glucose levels.
What triggers the release of oxytocin during childbirth?
A) Low calcium levels
B) Increased cortisol
C) Uterine contractions
Which gland is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A) Hypothalamus
B) Thyroid gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland - Answers Answer: C) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland controls the activity of several other endocrine glands, making it
the "master gland."
What hormone is primarily responsible for regulating blood sugar levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Insulin
C) Cortisol
D) Aldosterone - Answers Answer: B) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin lowers blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose.
Which hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress?
A) Cortisol
B) Epinephrine
C) Aldosterone
D) Testosterone - Answers Answer: B) Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine (adrenaline) is produced in response to stress, enhancing the fight-or-
flight response.
What hormone does the pineal gland produce?
A) Cortisol
,B) Melatonin
C) Insulin
D) Oxytocin - Answers Answer: B) Melatonin
Rationale: The pineal gland releases melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.
What is the function of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
A) Lowers blood calcium levels
B) Increases blood calcium levels
C) Regulates blood pressure
D) Stimulates metabolism - Answers Answer: B) Increases blood calcium levels
Rationale: PTH promotes calcium release from bones, absorption in the intestine, and
reabsorption in the kidneys.
Which of the following hormones is NOT secreted by the anterior pituitary?
A) Growth hormone (GH)
B) Prolactin (PRL)
C) Oxytocin
D) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - Answers Answer: C) Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin is secreted by the posterior pituitary, while the anterior pituitary secretes GH,
PRL, and ACTH.
What type of hormone can directly pass through the cell membrane?
A) Water-soluble hormones
B) Peptide hormones
C) Lipid-soluble hormones
,D) Protein hormones - Answers Answer: C) Lipid-soluble hormones
Rationale: Lipid-soluble hormones (e.g., steroid hormones) can cross cell membranes and
directly affect gene expression.
Which hormone regulates the body's metabolic rate?
A) Insulin
B) Thyroxine (T4)
C) Prolactin
D) Glucagon - Answers Answer: B) Thyroxine (T4)
Rationale: Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) regulate metabolism and energy use.
What mechanism controls most hormone secretion?
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Direct nervous system control
D) Enzyme inhibition - Answers Answer: B) Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback loops help maintain hormonal balance by regulating secretion
based on existing levels.
Which hormone helps retain sodium and water in the body, affecting blood pressure?
A) Insulin
B) Aldosterone
C) Cortisol
D) Epinephrine - Answers Answer: B) Aldosterone
Rationale: Aldosterone, secreted by the adrenal cortex, helps regulate sodium retention and
potassium excretion.
, What gland is directly controlled by the hypothalamus via releasing hormones?
A) Adrenal gland
B) Pituitary gland
C) Thyroid gland
D) Pancreas - Answers Answer: B) Pituitary gland
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes releasing hormones that regulate pituitary hormone
secretion.
Which hormone is essential for milk ejection during breastfeeding?
A) Oxytocin
B) Prolactin
C) Estrogen
D) Progesterone - Answers Answer: A) Oxytocin
Rationale: Oxytocin stimulates milk ejection during breastfeeding.
What is the primary function of glucagon?
A) Increase blood sugar levels
B) Decrease blood sugar levels
C) Increase calcium levels
D) Promote protein synthesis - Answers Answer: A) Increase blood sugar levels
Rationale: Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown to raise blood glucose levels.
What triggers the release of oxytocin during childbirth?
A) Low calcium levels
B) Increased cortisol
C) Uterine contractions
