,NURS 251 Module 4 Exam | Pharmacology | Portage
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following endocrine glands is often referred to as the "master gland" because it controls
the function of many other endocrine glands?
A) Pineal gland
B) Thyroid gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that
regulate the function of other endocrine glands, including the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads. The
hypothalamus ultimately controls the pituitary gland through releasing and inhibiting hormones.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the endocrine system. Which statement accurately describes the
primary function of the endocrine system?
A) To regulate body temperature through sweat glands
B) To maintain homeostasis through the release of hormones
C) To control voluntary muscle movements
D) To filter waste products from the blood
Correct Answer: To maintain homeostasis through the release of hormones
Rationale: The endocrine system consists of glands located throughout the body that function to
maintain homeostasis through the secretion of hormones. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
target tissues, where they regulate various physiological processes.
3. List four examples of endocrine glands. Which of the following correctly identifies four endocrine
glands?
,A) Liver, kidney, heart, and lungs
B) Pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal
C) Pancreas, stomach, intestines, and gallbladder
D) Thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow
Correct Answer: Pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal
Rationale: Endocrine glands include the pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries,
and testes. These glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily
functions.
4. True or False: The pituitary gland has three lobes called the Anterior, Central, and Posterior lobes.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: The pituitary gland has only two lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. There is no
"central" lobe. The anterior lobe produces and secretes multiple hormones, while the posterior lobe
stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
5. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce
cortisol?
A) TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
B) LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
C) ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)
D) ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
Correct Answer: ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)
, Rationale: ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary and communicates
with the adrenal cortex to stimulate the release of cortisol and other glucocorticoids. TSH stimulates the
thyroid, LH stimulates the ovaries, and ADH is released from the posterior pituitary.
6. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland communicates with the thyroid gland?
A) ACTH
B) TSH
C) LH
D) ADH
Correct Answer: TSH
Rationale: TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary gland and
communicates with the thyroid gland to stimulate the release of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. TSH
secretion is regulated by a negative feedback loop involving thyroid hormone levels.
7. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland communicates with the ovaries?
A) ACTH
B) TSH
C) LH
D) ADH
Correct Answer: LH
Rationale: LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary gland and communicates with
the ovaries (and testes) to regulate reproductive function. LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the
production of estrogen and progesterone.
8. Which hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland communicates with the kidneys to regulate
water balance?
A) ACTH
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following endocrine glands is often referred to as the "master gland" because it controls
the function of many other endocrine glands?
A) Pineal gland
B) Thyroid gland
C) Pituitary gland
D) Adrenal gland
Correct Answer: Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland is often called the "master gland" because it secretes hormones that
regulate the function of other endocrine glands, including the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads. The
hypothalamus ultimately controls the pituitary gland through releasing and inhibiting hormones.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about the endocrine system. Which statement accurately describes the
primary function of the endocrine system?
A) To regulate body temperature through sweat glands
B) To maintain homeostasis through the release of hormones
C) To control voluntary muscle movements
D) To filter waste products from the blood
Correct Answer: To maintain homeostasis through the release of hormones
Rationale: The endocrine system consists of glands located throughout the body that function to
maintain homeostasis through the secretion of hormones. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
target tissues, where they regulate various physiological processes.
3. List four examples of endocrine glands. Which of the following correctly identifies four endocrine
glands?
,A) Liver, kidney, heart, and lungs
B) Pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal
C) Pancreas, stomach, intestines, and gallbladder
D) Thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow
Correct Answer: Pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal
Rationale: Endocrine glands include the pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries,
and testes. These glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily
functions.
4. True or False: The pituitary gland has three lobes called the Anterior, Central, and Posterior lobes.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: The pituitary gland has only two lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. There is no
"central" lobe. The anterior lobe produces and secretes multiple hormones, while the posterior lobe
stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
5. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce
cortisol?
A) TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
B) LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
C) ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)
D) ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)
Correct Answer: ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)
, Rationale: ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary and communicates
with the adrenal cortex to stimulate the release of cortisol and other glucocorticoids. TSH stimulates the
thyroid, LH stimulates the ovaries, and ADH is released from the posterior pituitary.
6. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland communicates with the thyroid gland?
A) ACTH
B) TSH
C) LH
D) ADH
Correct Answer: TSH
Rationale: TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary gland and
communicates with the thyroid gland to stimulate the release of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. TSH
secretion is regulated by a negative feedback loop involving thyroid hormone levels.
7. Which hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland communicates with the ovaries?
A) ACTH
B) TSH
C) LH
D) ADH
Correct Answer: LH
Rationale: LH (Luteinizing Hormone) is released by the anterior pituitary gland and communicates with
the ovaries (and testes) to regulate reproductive function. LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the
production of estrogen and progesterone.
8. Which hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland communicates with the kidneys to regulate
water balance?
A) ACTH
