Module 14

Question 1

A patient with an excessive appetite has:

1. anorexia
2. polyphagia
3. hyperglycemia
4. polyphasia

Answer 1

polyphagia

The prefixes poly- and hyper- can both mean excessive, so knowing that only eliminates anorexia as an answer. Phag/o means to eat or swallow, so a person with an excessive appetite has polyphagia. Polyphasia is not a real term.

Question 2

The condition of deficient sodium in the blood is:

1. hyponatremia
2. hypercalcemia
3. hypersaltemia
4. hypokalmemia

Answer 2

hyponatremia

When sodium (natr/o) levels in the blood are** low (hypo-)**, the condition is known as hyponatremia. The condition of low blood potassium levels is called hypokalemia. Hypercalcemia is the condition of excessive levels of calcium in the blood.

Question 3

Graves disease is an extreme form of:

1. hypothyroidism
2. hyperthyroidism
3. Addison disease
4. Cushing syndrome

Answer 3

hyperthyroidism

Graves disease is an extreme form of hyperthyroidism, caused by the excessive (hyper-) production of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is deficient thyroid hormone production. Addison disease and Cushing syndrome are adrenal gland disorders.

Question 4

Radioactive iodine uptake scans are used to test for:

1. hyperparathyroidism
2. hyperthyroidism
3. hypothyroidism
4. hypoparathyroidism

Answer 4

hyperthyroidism

Radioactive iodine uptake scans (RAIU) test thyroid function by measuring the gland’s ability to concentrate and retain iodine. RAIU is useful to test for hyperthyroidism, because with hyperthyroidism, absorption of iodine is increased and its uptake can be visualized on an image produced by a thyroid scan.

Question 5

A lack of adrenal cortisol leads to which disorder?

1. Cushing syndrome
2. Addison disease
3. Simmonds disease
4. Graves disease

Answer 5

Addison disease

A lack of adrenal cortisol leads to Addison disease. An excessive secretion of adrenal cortisol leads to Cushing syndrome. A lack or deficiency of all pituitary hormones leads to Simmonds disease. Excessive thyroid hormone production leads to Graves disease.

Question 6

The _____ gland is located in the center of the brain and secretes melatonin.
1. pineal
2. thyroid
3. adrenal
4. pituitary

Answer 6

pineal

The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain and secretes melatonin, which is thought to induce sleep.

Question 7

Exophthalmia is:

1. cancer of the endocrine system
2. enlargement of the thymus gland
3. enlargement of the thyroid gland
4. protrusion of the eyeballs from their orbits

Answer 7

protrusion of the eyeballs from their orbits

Exophthalmia is a protrusion of the eyeballs from their orbits. A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Question 8

The F in TFT stands for:

1. fasting
2. function
3. free
4. failure

Answer 8

function

TFT is the abbreviation for thyroid function test, a blood test that measures T3, T4, and calcitonin levels.

Question 9

The endocrine system uses the ______ system and chemical messengers called _____ to regulate many body functions.
1. circulatory, hormones
2. respiratory, hormones
3. circulatory, glands
4. nervous, neurotransmitters

Answer 9

circulatory, hormones

The endocrine system is made up of glands that send chemical messengers called hormones through the bloodstream in the circulatory system to regulate a number of body functions, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and water and electrolyte balances.

Question 10

T3 is a hormone secreted by the:

1. thyroid gland
2. thymus gland
3. adrenal medulla
4. adrenal cortex

Answer 10

thyroid gland

T3 is the abbreviation for triiodothyronine, one of the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.

Question 11

The _____ cells of the islets of Langerhans produce glucagon.

1. kappa
2. beta
3. delta
4. alpha

Answer 11

alpha

The two main types of islets of Langerhans cells are alpha and beta cells. Alpha cells produce glucagon to increase blood glucose levels, and beta cells secrete insulin to decrease blood glucose levels when they are too high.

Question 12

The exocrine function of the pancreas is to:

1. stimulate key cells in the immune response
2. release toxins through the skin
3. regulate blood glucose levels
4. release digestive enzymes into the small intestines

Answer 12

release digestive enzymes into the small intestines

The exocrine function of the pancreas is to release digestive enzymes through a duct into the small intestines. The endocrine function of the pancreas is to regulate blood glucose levels with the hormones glucagon and insulin.

Question 13

Build a term for the excision of the head of the pancreas and duodenum.

1. pancre/o + duoden/o + -ectomy
2. duoden/o + pancre/o + -ectomy
3. duoden/o + pancreat/o + -ectomy
4. pancreat/o + duoden/o + -ectomy

Answer 13

pancreat/o + duoden/o + -ectomy

Pancreatoduodenectomy, also called the Whipple procedure, is used to treat pancreatic cancer by excision (-ectomy) of the head of the** pancreas (pancreat/o) **along with the duodenum (duoden/o).

Question 14

The abbreviation for a radioactive iodine uptake scan is:

1. RIU
2. RIA
3. RAI
4. RAIU

Answer 14

RAIU

RAIU is the abbreviation for radioactive iodine uptake scan. Don’t confuse it with RIA, which is the abbreviation for radioimmunoassay studies.

Question 15

An A1c test is used to measure average blood glucose during a ___ -month time span.
1. two
2. three
3. six
4. one

Answer 15

three

An A1c test measures the average blood glucose level over a three-month period. It is used to monitor a patient’s response to diabetes treatment.

Question 16

The combining form for the pituitary gland is:

1. hypophys/o
2. adren/o
3. hypothalam/o
4. lob/o

Answer 16

hypophys/o

Hypophys/o is the combining form for the pituitary gland, or hypophysis. Lob/o means lobe; the pituitary gland has two lobes. Adren/o means adrenal gland.

Question 17

Pancreatic cancer, or _____, is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
1. malignant thymoma
2. pheochromocytoma
3. islet cell carcinoma
4. prolactinoma

Answer 17

islet cell carcinoma

Islet cell carcinoma, or pancreatic cancer, is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Question 18

The word part that means to secrete is:

1. trop/o
2. cortic/o
3. calc/o
4. crin/o

Answer 18

crin/o

The combining form crin/o and the suffix -crine mean to secrete. The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream within (endo-) the body. Trop/o means turning. **Cortic/o **means cortex. Calc/o means calcium.

Question 19

The medical term for a condition in which the eyeballs protrude from their orbits is:
1. exophthalmia
2. exophtalmia
3. exophthalmolmia
4. exopthalmia

Answer 19

exophthalmia

Exophthalmia is the correct spelling of the term for the extrusion of the eyeballs from their orbits.

Question 20

**A somatotropin deficiency due to dysfunction of the adenohypophysis during childhood that leads to dwarfism is called:
**
1. growth hormone deficiency
2. acromegaly
3. gigantism
4. Simmonds disease

Answer 20

growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the term for the pituitary gland disorder in childhood when the adenohypophysis does not function properly to produce enough somatotropin, or growth hormone. GHD results in dwarfism. Oversecretion of somatotropin during childhood results in gigantism. Hypersecretion of somatotropin in adulthood causes acromegaly. Simmonds disease is caused by hyposecretion of all pituitary hormones.

Question 21

A hypophysectomy is the surgical:

1. incision of the adrenal medulla
2. removal of the adrenal medulla
3. removal of the hypothalamus
4. removal of the pituitary gland

Answer 21

removal of the pituitary gland

A hypophysectomy is the surgical** removal (-ectomy) **of the pituitary gland (hypophys/o), usually for the purpose of removing a pituitary tumor.

Question 22

Another name for the adrenal glands comes from their location above the:
1. thalamus
2. heart
3. liver
4. kidneys

Answer 22

kidneys

The adrenal glands are also known as the suprarenals because they are positioned above (supra-) each kidney (ren/o).

Question 23

Simmonds disease is the eponym for:

1. growth hormone deficiency
2. panhypopituitarism
3. gigantism
4. acromegaly

Answer 23

panhypopituitarism

Simmonds disease is the eponym for panhypopituitarism. It is named for the German physician Morris Simmonds. Panhypopituitarism is marked by a deficiency (hypo-) or lack of all (pan-) pituitary (pituitar/o) hormones causing hypotension, weight loss, weakness, and loss of libido.

Question 23

An excessive amount of ketone acids in the blood is called:

1. ketoacidosis
2. ketonuria
3. hyperglycemia
4. hyperkalemia

Answer 23

ketoacidosis

Ketoacidosis is the condition of excessive amounts of ketone acids in the blood. Ketonuria is the presence of ketones in urine. Hyperglycemia is excessive sugar in the blood. Hyperkalemia is excessive potassium in the blood.

Question 24

# The abbreviation DI refers to: 1. diuretic 2. diabetes insipidus 3. deficient insulin 4. dehydration insidious

Answer 24

diabetes insipidus ## Footnote DI is the abbreviation for diabetes insipidus, which is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

Question 25

# The term for a symptom of abnormal feeling or sensation is: 1. tetany 2. anorexia 3. paresthesia 4. paralysis

Answer 25

paresthesia ## Footnote The** condition (-ia)** of **abnormal (par-)** **feeling (esthesi/o)**, like a prickling sensation, is paresthesia. Tetany is continuous muscle spasm. Both symptoms can indicate hormonal imbalance.

Question 26

# Polydipsia is the condition of: 1. excessive urination 2. excessive thirst 3. excessive appetite 4. abnormal sensation

Answer 26

excessive thirst ## Footnote Polydipsia is a **condition (-ia)** of **excessive (poly-)** **thirst (dips/o)**. Polyuria is excessive urination. Polyphagia refers to excessive appetite. Paresthesia is abnormal sensation.

Question 27

# In FPG, the P stands for: 1. parathyroid 2. plasma 3. pituitary 4. pancreas

Answer 27

plasma ## Footnote Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is a blood test that analyzes how well the body breaks down and uses glucose. This test was previously called fasting blood sugar (FBS).

Question 28

**The neoplasm that causes the pituitary gland to oversecrete prolactin is a:** 1. thymoma 2. pituitarioma 3. prolactinoma 4. hypophysioma

Answer 28

prolactinoma ## Footnote A prolactinoma is the most common type of pituitary tumor. This benign neoplasm causes the pituitary gland to secrete too much prolactin.

Question 29

**The hormone released by the adrenal medulla that dilates arteries and increases urine production, blood pressure, and cardiac rate is:** 1. norepinephrine 2. adrenaline 3. epinephrine 4. dopamine

Answer 29

dopamine ## Footnote Dopamine is the hormone released by the adrenal medulla that dilates arteries and increases urine production, blood pressure, and cardiac rate. Epinephrine, or adrenaline, dilates bronchi and pupils, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and elevates blood sugar levels. Norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure and elevates blood sugar levels for energy use.

Question 30

# Choose the correct spelling for this medical specialist: 1. endocrindinologist 2. endoccriniologist 3. endocrinologist 4. endoccrinologist

Answer 30

endocrinologist ## Footnote An endocrinologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders of the endocrine system.

Question 31

# Oversecretion of insulin is called: 1. gestational diabetes 2. type 2 diabetes 3. hyperinsulinism 4. prediabetes

Answer 31

hyperinsulinism ## Footnote Hyperinsulinism is the term for oversecretion of insulin. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by deficient insulin production. Gestational diabetes is insulin resistance acquired during pregnancy.

Question 32

**Insulin and oral agents used to manage glucose levels when the pancreas or insulin receptors are no longer functioning properly are called:** 1. antidiurectics 2. antithyroid agents 3. posterior pituitary hormones 4. antidiabetics

Answer 32

antidiabetics ## Footnote Antidiabetics are insulin and oral agents used to manage glucose levels when the pancreas or insulin receptors are no longer functioning properly. Type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin therapy, while management of type 2 diabetes will begin with oral antidiabetics.

Question 32

**Composed of glandular tissue, this structure releases a large number of hormones in response to stimulation by the hypothalamus:** 1. pancreas 2. neurohypophysis 3. thymus 4. adenohypophysis

Answer 32

adenohypophysis ## Footnote The adenohypophysis is the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and it is composed of glandular tissue. This structure secretes or inhibits a number of different hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus. The neurohypophysis is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It is composed of nervous tissue, and it stores hormones produced in the hypothalamus until it receives neural stimulation from the hypothalamus to release them.

Question 33

**The ___ gland is located in the center of the brain and secretes melatonin.** 1. penneal 2. pineal 3. peneal 4. pinneal

Answer 33

pineal ## Footnote The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain and secretes melatonin, which is thought to induce sleep.

Question 34

# Choose the correct spelling for this gland: 1. thimus 2. thymis 3. thimis 4. thymus

Answer 34

thymus ## Footnote The thymus secretes the hormone thymosin to stimulate cells involved in an immune response.

Question 35

**The female gonads, or _____, and the male gonads, or _____, act as endocrine glands to influence reproductive functions.** 1. breasts, testicles 2. fallopian tubes, testes 3. ovaries, testes 4. ovaries, testis

Answer 35

ovaries, testes ## Footnote The female gonads, or ovaries, and the male gonads, or testes, act as endocrine glands to influence reproductive functions.

Question 36

# An excision of an adrenal gland is an: 1. adrenalectomy 2. adenotomy 3. adenectomy 4. adenalectomy

Answer 36

adrenalectomy ## Footnote Knowing your suffixes gives you a good start on finding the correct answer. The suffix **-tomy means incision**, and the suffix **-ectomy means excision**, or removal. The combining form for **adrenal gland is adren/o**. An adrenalectomy is the bilateral removal of the adrenal glands to reduce excess hormone secretion.

Question 37

# Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the: 1. adenohypophysis 2. adrenal gland 3. neurohypophysis 4. pancreas

Answer 37

adrenal gland ## Footnote Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland, specifically the adrenal medulla. It is usually a benign tumor. None of the word parts used to build this term identifies the anatomic structure from which the tumor arises, so you'll have to memorize this one. **Phe/o = dark; chrom/o = color; cyt/o = cell; -oma = tumor, mass.**

Question 38

# Another name for hirsutism is: 1. hypertrichosis 2. hyperthyroidism 3. anorexia 4. hypernatremia

Answer 38

hypertrichosis ## Footnote Hirsutism refers to abnormal hairiness. Another medical term for this condition is hypertrichosis. **Hyper- **= excessive; **trich/o** = hair; **-osis** = abnormal condition.