Cushing's Syndrome and Cushing's Disease - FITZ

Question 1

144. A 46-year-old woman complains of fatigue, weakness, lethargy, decreased concentration and memory, and increased facial hair over the past 12 months. She also reports gaining over 30 pounds (13.6 kg) in the past 2 months. She has a history of asthma with repeated flares during the past 6 months requiring multiple courses of prednisone therapy. A likely diagnosis for this patient is:
A. type 2 diabetes.
B. Cushing’s syndrome.
C. Cushing’s disease.
D. central obesity.

Answer 1

B. Cushing’s syndrome.

Question 2

145. Cushing’s syndrome results from an excess of:
A. luteinizing hormone.
B. follicle-stimulating hormone.
C. cortisol.
D. aldosterone

Answer 2

C. cortisol.

Question 3

146. A first-line approach to treating Cushing’s syndrome in a 56-year-old woman who has been taking oral corticosteroids to treat rheumatoid arthritis for the past 2 years is:
     A. gradually tapering corticosteroid use.
     B. referral for surgery.
     C. consideration of radiation therapy.
     D. prescribing mifepristone.

Answer 3

A. gradually tapering corticosteroid use.

Question 4

147. Untreated Cushing’s syndrome can lead to all of the following except:
A. rheumatoid arthritis.
B. hypertension.
C. type 2 diabetes.
D. osteoporosis.

Answer 4

A. rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 5

148. Cushing’s disease is the specific type of Cushing’s
     syndrome that is caused by:
     A. long-term exposure to corticosteroids.
     B. a benign tumor of the adrenal gland.
     C. a benign pituitary tumor.
     D. an ectopic tumor that produces ACTH.

Answer 5

C. a benign pituitary tumor.

Question 6

149. The most commonly recommended treatment of
     Cushing’s disease is:
     A. tapering or ceasing corticosteroid use.
     B. eliminating trigger medications.
     C. antineoplastic therapy.
     D. surgical intervention.

Answer 6

D. surgical intervention.