Adrenal function

Question 1

When considering an endocrine cause for a patient’s hypertension, the _____
_____ is the usual suspect.

Answer 1

Adrenal gland

Question 2

When hypertension results from an endocrine disorder, what hormonal state is
usually found: hormone underproduction or overproduction?

Answer 2

Overproduction

Question 3

True or false? Major warning signs of adrenal disease include abnormal blood
pressure, abnormal electrolytes (potassium, acid–base status, urine
dilution), and unexplained weight change.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

_____ is the common substrate from which all adrenal steroids are produced

Answer 4

Cholesterol

Question 5

True or false? When produced, free catecholamines (NE and EPI) are shortlived. They are best measured in the urine, though catecholamine
metabolites are best measured in the serum.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

. _____ is responsible for epinephrine production.

Answer 6

Cortisol

Question 7

7. A primary hyperaldosteronemic state is characterized by:
   a. A urine potassium of 35 mmol/d
   b. A urine potassium of 21 mmol/d
   c. A spot urine test where the sodium levels are greater than potassium
   levels
   d. Within 3 hours of taking 50 mg of captopril, plasma aldosterone was
   low
   e. All of the above are characteristic of hypoaldosteronism

Answer 7

a. A urine potassium of 35 mmol/d

Question 8

During a low-dose (1 mg) dexamethasone suppression test, total cortisol
levels measured in a patient at 8:35 AM was 2.8 μg/dL. How is this
interpreted?
a. The patient is normal.
b. The patient has Cushing’s syndrome.
c. The patient has a nonpituitary tumor causing ectopic ACTH syndrome.
d. The patient has an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma.

Answer 8

a. The patient is normal.

Question 9

The most biologically active androgen in this list is:
a. DHEA
b. DHEA-S
c. LH
d. FSH
e. Estrone

Answer 9

e. Estrone

Question 10

Which amino acid is needed for the biosynthesis of norepinephrine and epinephrine?
a. Alanine
b. Phenylalanine
c. Isoleucine
d. Leucine
e. Serine

Answer 10

b. Phenylalanine

Question 11

Which of the following describes catecholamines?
a. Hydrophobic
b. Degraded rapidly in nonneuronal cells by monoamine reductase
c. Have long half-lives
d. Circulating blood catecholamines are 99% bound to albumin.
e. None of the above accurately describes catecholamines.

Answer 11

e. None of the above accurately describes catecholamines.

Question 12

The collection of a 24-hour urine is used for measuring:
a. Creatinine clearance
b. Norepinephrine
c. Dopamine
d. All of the above may be measured in a 24-hour urine
e. All but one of the above may be measured in a 24-hour urine

Answer 12

e. All but one of the above may be measured in a 24-hour urine