,Geneva College NURS 251 Module 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which endocrine gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because
it controls many of the other glands within the system?
A) Thyroid gland
B) Pineal gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is termed the "master gland" as it secretes
hormones that regulate the functions of other endocrine glands including the
thyroid and adrenal glands. It is located near the hypothalamus in the
forebrain and governs processes such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction throughout the body.
2. How does a negative feedback loop function in the endocrine system,
using the thyroid as an example?
A) Thyroid hormones stimulate the pituitary to release more TSH
B) Thyroid hormones directly inhibit the hypothalamus, but not the pituitary
C) High thyroid hormone levels signal the pituitary to stop releasing TSH
D) The pituitary secretes TRH which directly lowers T3 and T4 levels
Correct Answer: High thyroid hormone levels signal the pituitary to stop
releasing TSH
Rationale: In negative feedback, high levels of thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
signal the pituitary gland to reduce its release of Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH). This loop maintains homeostasis by preventing
,overproduction of thyroid hormones. When thyroid levels drop, TSH secretion
increases again to stimulate more hormone production.
3. Which of the following accurately lists hormones secreted by the anterior
pituitary gland?
A) ADH and oxytocin
B) ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, GH, and prolactin
C) Vasopressin, aldosterone, and cortisol
D) T3, T4, and calcitonin
Correct Answer: ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, GH, and prolactin
Rationale: The anterior pituitary secretes multiple tropic hormones:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH),
Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Growth
Hormone (GH), and prolactin. ADH and oxytocin are produced in the
hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary, not the anterior lobe.
4. A patient is prescribed somatropin. The nurse identifies that this
medication is indicated for which condition?
A) Severe diarrhea associated with carcinoid tumors
B) Growth hormone deficiency in children with impaired linear growth
C) Diabetes insipidus causing excessive urination
D) Acromegaly with excess GH secretion
Correct Answer: Growth hormone deficiency in children with impaired linear
growth
Rationale: Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone that mimics
endogenous GH effects and is primarily used in children with insufficient GH
, production to promote linear growth. It is not first-line for acromegaly (where
GH is excessive) or for the other conditions listed.
5. A patient receiving octreotide for a neuroendocrine tumor asks how the
drug works. Which response is most accurate?
A) "It stimulates your pituitary to release more growth hormone."
B) "It replaces ADH to help your kidneys retain water."
C) "It reduces the secretion of various hormones, including GH and gut
peptides."
D) "It blocks cortisol production in the adrenal cortex."
Correct Answer: "It reduces the secretion of various hormones, including GH
and gut peptides."
Rationale: Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin with a
prolonged duration of action. It inhibits the secretion of growth hormone and
gastroenteropancreatic peptides such as gastrin, insulin, and vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP), which helps control symptoms like severe diarrhea
from tumors.
6. A patient with diabetes insipidus is prescribed vasopressin. What
therapeutic effect does this medication produce to manage the condition?
A) Increasing urine output by inhibiting ADH release
B) Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys to reduce urine output
C) Stimulating the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone
D) Blocking thirst receptors to prevent polydipsia
Correct Answer: Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys to reduce urine
output
Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which endocrine gland is often referred to as the "master gland" because
it controls many of the other glands within the system?
A) Thyroid gland
B) Pineal gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is termed the "master gland" as it secretes
hormones that regulate the functions of other endocrine glands including the
thyroid and adrenal glands. It is located near the hypothalamus in the
forebrain and governs processes such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction throughout the body.
2. How does a negative feedback loop function in the endocrine system,
using the thyroid as an example?
A) Thyroid hormones stimulate the pituitary to release more TSH
B) Thyroid hormones directly inhibit the hypothalamus, but not the pituitary
C) High thyroid hormone levels signal the pituitary to stop releasing TSH
D) The pituitary secretes TRH which directly lowers T3 and T4 levels
Correct Answer: High thyroid hormone levels signal the pituitary to stop
releasing TSH
Rationale: In negative feedback, high levels of thyroid hormones (T3/T4)
signal the pituitary gland to reduce its release of Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH). This loop maintains homeostasis by preventing
,overproduction of thyroid hormones. When thyroid levels drop, TSH secretion
increases again to stimulate more hormone production.
3. Which of the following accurately lists hormones secreted by the anterior
pituitary gland?
A) ADH and oxytocin
B) ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, GH, and prolactin
C) Vasopressin, aldosterone, and cortisol
D) T3, T4, and calcitonin
Correct Answer: ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, GH, and prolactin
Rationale: The anterior pituitary secretes multiple tropic hormones:
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH),
Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Growth
Hormone (GH), and prolactin. ADH and oxytocin are produced in the
hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary, not the anterior lobe.
4. A patient is prescribed somatropin. The nurse identifies that this
medication is indicated for which condition?
A) Severe diarrhea associated with carcinoid tumors
B) Growth hormone deficiency in children with impaired linear growth
C) Diabetes insipidus causing excessive urination
D) Acromegaly with excess GH secretion
Correct Answer: Growth hormone deficiency in children with impaired linear
growth
Rationale: Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone that mimics
endogenous GH effects and is primarily used in children with insufficient GH
, production to promote linear growth. It is not first-line for acromegaly (where
GH is excessive) or for the other conditions listed.
5. A patient receiving octreotide for a neuroendocrine tumor asks how the
drug works. Which response is most accurate?
A) "It stimulates your pituitary to release more growth hormone."
B) "It replaces ADH to help your kidneys retain water."
C) "It reduces the secretion of various hormones, including GH and gut
peptides."
D) "It blocks cortisol production in the adrenal cortex."
Correct Answer: "It reduces the secretion of various hormones, including GH
and gut peptides."
Rationale: Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin with a
prolonged duration of action. It inhibits the secretion of growth hormone and
gastroenteropancreatic peptides such as gastrin, insulin, and vasoactive
intestinal peptide (VIP), which helps control symptoms like severe diarrhea
from tumors.
6. A patient with diabetes insipidus is prescribed vasopressin. What
therapeutic effect does this medication produce to manage the condition?
A) Increasing urine output by inhibiting ADH release
B) Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys to reduce urine output
C) Stimulating the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone
D) Blocking thirst receptors to prevent polydipsia
Correct Answer: Increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys to reduce urine
output
