Practice Test Questions

A child is not growing normally and has delayed skeletal development. Which hormone could be low, and what gland produces it?

Thyroid hormone (T3/T4); produced by the thyroid gland

A patient has low T3 and T4 levels, high TSH, and a large goiter. What is likely the cause?

Iodine deficiency (can't make thyroid hormone → TSH increases → thyroid enlarges)

If a woman's dopamine levels suddenly drop, what effect will this have on her prolactin levels?

Prolactin levels will increase, possibly leading to milk production

A man has no FSH or LH in his blood. What stage of life is he most likely in?

Prepuberty

A patient has rapid heartbeat, sweating, weight loss, and bulging eyes. What condition do they likely have and what causes it?

Graves' disease (autoimmune disorder where antibodies mimic TSH)

Why would thyroid hormone levels increase in an infant exposed to cold?

TRH from the hypothalamus overrides negative feedback to increase TSH and TH → more heat production

If someone has high levels of calcitonin, what would you expect their blood calcium levels to do?

Decrease, because calcitonin promotes calcium uptake into bones

A woman has breast tenderness during her menstrual cycle but doesn’t produce milk. What hormone is elevated and why isn’t milk being produced?

Prolactin is elevated due to increased estrogen, but PIH (dopamine) is still present, so full milk production is prevented

Why might a person with high cortisol levels have suppressed thyroid hormone production?

Cortisol inhibits TSH release, which lowers thyroid hormone levels

Why is T3 more potent than T4 at the cellular level, even though T4 is more abundant in the blood?

T3 binds more strongly to receptors and is the active form at the tissue level

A patient has elevated calcium levels and a suppressed PTH level. What effect will this have on the kidneys and bones?

Less calcium will be reabsorbed in the kidneys and less bone will be broken down, helping reduce calcium levels.

A patient with a tumor causing excess ACTH is gaining weight, has thin skin, and elevated blood glucose. What is the likely diagnosis?

Cushing's disease (ACTH-secreting tumor)

A person has bronzed skin, low blood pressure, weight loss, and dehydration. What hormonal imbalance is likely?

Addison's disease (low cortisol and aldosterone)

Why might a female with an adrenal tumor develop facial hair and a deep voice?

Overproduction of gonadocorticoids (adrenogenital syndrome causing masculinization)

A person under extreme stress has normal or even high cortisol despite elevated ACTH. Why?

The CNS can override negative feedback to increase cortisol release under acute stress.

All of the following are true about FSH and LH EXCEPT:

FSH triggers milk production in females

3 multiple choice options

All of the following hormones inhibit TSH release EXCEPT:

TRH

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are steps in thyroid hormone synthesis EXCEPT:

Thyroglobulin is digested by pancreatic enzymes

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are effects of thyroid hormone EXCEPT:

Increases blood calcium levels

3 multiple choice options

All of the following can suppress prolactin secretion EXCEPT:

Suckling

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are true of T3 EXCEPT:

It is the major hormone secreted by the thyroid

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are actions of calcitonin at high doses EXCEPT:

Increases calcium release from bones

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are functions of parathyroid hormone EXCEPT:

Enhances phosphate reabsorption in kidneys

3 multiple choice options

All of the following stimulate aldosterone release EXCEPT:

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are effects of cortisol EXCEPT

Enhances immune system activity

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are symptoms of Cushing's syndrome EXCEPT:

Bronze skin pigmentation

3 multiple choice options

All of the following are true of epinephrine EXCEPT:

It has stronger effects on vasoconstriction than norepinephrine

3 multiple choice options