NR283 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with extreme thirst, polyuria, and a urine specific gravity of 1.002.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
A. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
B. Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
C. Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
D. Myxedema Coma
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH or a
lack of response to ADH, leading to the inability to concentrate urine, resulting in polyuria
and low specific gravity.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark characteristic of Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
,C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the
serum sodium levels, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
3. In Graves’ disease, what is the primary pathophysiological mechanism causing
hyperthyroidism?
A. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies mimicking TSH
B. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
C. A benign adenoma secreting excess T3 and T4
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder where Type II
hypersensitivity involves antibodies that stimulate the TSH receptors, causing
overproduction of thyroid hormones.
4. A patient with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is likely to exhibit which of the following clinical
manifestations?
A. Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance
B. Weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance
, C. Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema
D. Increased appetite and hyperreflexia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune destruction of the thyroid
resulting in hypothyroidism, which slows the metabolic rate, causing weight gain,
bradycardia, and cold intolerance.
5. Which condition is characterized by the hypersecretion of cortisol, leading to a ‘buffalo
hump’ and ‘moon face’?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Conn’s Syndrome
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess
glucocorticoids (cortisol), which redistributes fat to the face and upper back.
6. What is the underlying cause of hyperpigmentation in patients with Addison’s Disease?
A. Excessive melanin production triggered by cortisol
B. Excess secretion of ACTH
C. High levels of aldosterone
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient presents with extreme thirst, polyuria, and a urine specific gravity of 1.002.
Which endocrine disorder is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
A. Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
B. Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
C. Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
D. Myxedema Coma
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Diabetes Insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of ADH or a
lack of response to ADH, leading to the inability to concentrate urine, resulting in polyuria
and low specific gravity.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance is a hallmark characteristic of Syndrome of Inappropriate
Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
,C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: SIADH causes excessive water retention, which dilutes the
serum sodium levels, leading to dilutional hyponatremia.
3. In Graves’ disease, what is the primary pathophysiological mechanism causing
hyperthyroidism?
A. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies mimicking TSH
B. Autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland
C. A benign adenoma secreting excess T3 and T4
D. Iodine deficiency leading to goiter
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder where Type II
hypersensitivity involves antibodies that stimulate the TSH receptors, causing
overproduction of thyroid hormones.
4. A patient with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is likely to exhibit which of the following clinical
manifestations?
A. Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance
B. Weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance
, C. Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema
D. Increased appetite and hyperreflexia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune destruction of the thyroid
resulting in hypothyroidism, which slows the metabolic rate, causing weight gain,
bradycardia, and cold intolerance.
5. Which condition is characterized by the hypersecretion of cortisol, leading to a ‘buffalo
hump’ and ‘moon face’?
A. Addison’s Disease
B. Cushing’s Syndrome
C. Pheochromocytoma
D. Conn’s Syndrome
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess
glucocorticoids (cortisol), which redistributes fat to the face and upper back.
6. What is the underlying cause of hyperpigmentation in patients with Addison’s Disease?
A. Excessive melanin production triggered by cortisol
B. Excess secretion of ACTH
C. High levels of aldosterone
