Endocrine System Practice Test 22
Endocrine System NCLEX Practice Test
Endocrine System is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Endocrine System. This section reviews hormonal regulation and nursing priorities in metabolic and endocrine disorders. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 22nd part of the Endocrine System series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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Endocrine System Practice Test 22
Main function of hPL is?
- Maintain corpus luteum
- Decrease insulin sensitivity → gestational diabetes risk
- Relax uterus
- Stimulate labour
Explanation: Answer reason: It induces maternal insulin resistance and increases lipolysis, thereby raising maternal blood glucose availability. This physiologic diabetogenic effect explains the increased risk of gestational diabetes as pregnancy progresses. Maintaining the corpus luteum is primarily mediated by hCG, while uterine relaxation and labor stimulation are more associated with progesterone/relaxin and oxytocin/prostaglandins respectively.
What is the name of the hormone that regulates calcium levels in the body?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Parathyroid hormone
- Adrenaline
Explanation: Answer reason: Parathyroid hormone increases serum calcium by stimulating osteoclast-mediated bone resorption (indirectly via osteoblast signaling), increasing renal calcium reabsorption, and activating vitamin D to enhance gut absorption. Insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose, not calcium. Adrenaline mediates sympathetic “fight-or-flight” responses and does not serve as the main regulator of calcium levels.
What is the name of the hormone that regulates the body's response to stress?
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Cortisol
- Adrenaline
Explanation: Answer reason: It is released from the adrenal cortex and helps maintain stress adaptation by increasing gluconeogenesis, supporting blood pressure through permissive effects on catecholamines, and modulating inflammation and immune activity. This best matches the concept of “regulating” the body’s response to stress over time. A common distractor is adrenaline, which is more associated with the rapid, short-lived fight-or-flight response from the adrenal medulla rather than ongoing regulation.
What is the main role of the adrenal glands?
- Regulate blood sugar
- Produce stress hormones
- Filter blood
- Digest carbohydrates
Explanation: Answer reason: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) for acute “fight-or-flight,” while the adrenal cortex produces cortisol that supports stress adaptation, metabolism, and blood pressure maintenance. Blood sugar regulation is primarily governed by pancreatic insulin and glucagon, even though cortisol can influence glucose levels. Filtering blood is a kidney function, and carbohydrate digestion is performed by gastrointestinal enzymes, not adrenal tissue.
The body temperature is maintained by?
- Estrogen
- Oxytocin
- Thyroxin
- Insulin
Explanation: Answer reason: Thyroid hormone increases cellular oxygen consumption and heat production (thermogenesis), supporting normal core temperature. In hypothyroidism, reduced metabolic activity commonly leads to cold intolerance and lower heat generation, illustrating this relationship. The other listed hormones primarily regulate reproductive functions (estrogen, oxytocin) or glucose metabolism (insulin) rather than baseline thermoregulation.
Which disease is characterized by the body's inability to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels?
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
Explanation: Answer reason: Glucose regulation depends primarily on adequate insulin secretion and effective insulin action to maintain normal blood sugar levels. In diabetes mellitus, insulin is deficient (type 1) and/or tissues are resistant to insulin’s effects (type 2), leading to persistent hyperglycemia and impaired glycemic control. This directly matches the stem’s description of inability to regulate blood glucose. Arthritis and asthma are inflammatory conditions of joints and airways, respectively, and do not primarily cause dysregulated blood sugar. Hepatitis affects the liver and can alter metabolism, but it is not defined by primary failure of blood glucose regulation.
Which of the following is a type of endocrine gland that produces insulin and glucagon?
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Pancreas
Explanation: Answer reason: Beta cells release insulin to lower blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake and storage, while alpha cells release glucagon to raise blood glucose via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The pancreas is a mixed gland, with an exocrine digestive function and an endocrine function specifically responsible for these hormones. In contrast, the thyroid primarily secretes T3/T4 and calcitonin, and the adrenal and pituitary glands produce different hormone sets not responsible for insulin/glucagon secretion.
The body temperature is maintain by the ...?
- Estrogen
- Oxytocin
- Thyroxin
- Insulin
Explanation: Answer reason: Thyroid hormone increases cellular oxygen consumption and metabolic activity in most tissues, thereby increasing heat production and supporting maintenance of normal body temperature. In hypothyroidism, reduced thyroid hormone commonly leads to cold intolerance and lower heat generation, demonstrating this relationship. Estrogen, oxytocin, and insulin have important reproductive or metabolic roles but are not primary regulators of overall heat production via basal metabolism.
Which hormone is control blood sugar?
- Insuline
- Oxytocin
- ADH
- Leptin
Explanation: Answer reason: This option fits because insulin from pancreatic beta cells lowers blood sugar by promoting glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue and increasing glycogen synthesis while suppressing gluconeogenesis. In contrast, oxytocin is mainly involved in uterine contraction and milk ejection, and ADH primarily regulates water balance and serum osmolality. Leptin is a satiety hormone influencing appetite and energy expenditure rather than directly controlling blood glucose concentration.
Androgens are a group of?
- Carbohydrates
- Enzymes
- Male sex hormones
- Red blood cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are the principal examples, produced mainly by the testes (and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands and ovaries). Their physiologic actions occur through intracellular androgen receptors that regulate gene transcription, which is characteristic of endocrine hormones rather than enzymes or nutrients. Red blood cells are cellular blood components, and carbohydrates are macronutrients, so neither fits the definition of androgens.
The hormone responsible for maintenance of pregnancy is-?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- HCG
- Human placental lactogen
Explanation: Answer reason: Early in pregnancy it is produced by the corpus luteum, and after the luteal–placental shift the placenta becomes the main source, continuing this supportive effect. Loss or inadequate levels can lead to endometrial instability and increased uterine activity, raising miscarriage risk. In contrast, hCG primarily serves to “rescue” the corpus luteum so it can keep producing progesterone, rather than directly maintaining pregnancy long-term. Estrogen and human placental lactogen have important roles in uterine growth and maternal metabolic adaptations, but they are not the primary hormone preventing pregnancy loss.
Which of the following are a result of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion?
- Potassium excretion and water reabsorption
- Urine dilution
- Sodium and water reabsorption
- Urine concentration
Explanation: Answer reason: This reduces urine volume and raises urine osmolality, producing more concentrated urine. Urine dilution occurs when ADH is low or absent, so that water is not reabsorbed in the collecting ducts. Sodium reabsorption is primarily regulated by aldosterone rather than ADH, making that option less directly tied to the core physiologic effect being tested.
What is the name of the hormone that is responsible for triggering the fight or flight response?
- Adrenaline
- Cortisol
- Thyroxine
- Insulin
Explanation: Answer reason: This produces immediate physiologic changes such as increased heart rate and contractility, bronchodilation, pupillary dilation, and mobilization of glucose for quick energy. Cortisol supports a more prolonged stress response by altering metabolism and immune activity, but its onset is slower and not the primary immediate trigger. Thyroxine regulates baseline metabolic rate and growth, and insulin primarily lowers blood glucose, so neither drives the acute stress surge.
Which hormone regulates blood sugar levels in the human body?
- Insulin
- Thyroxine
- Adrenaline
- Glucagon
Explanation: Answer reason: When blood glucose rises after eating, pancreatic beta cells release insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. In contrast, glucagon mainly raises blood glucose during fasting by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Thyroxine affects basal metabolic rate, and adrenaline can acutely increase glucose during stress, but neither is the principal regulator of day-to-day glucose homeostasis.
What is the primary cause of hyperparathyroidism?
- Parathyroid adenoma
- Thyroid carcinoma
- Adrenal hyperplasia
- Chronic kidney disease
Explanation: Answer reason: This leads to increased bone resorption, renal calcium reabsorption, and increased calcitriol activation, producing hypercalcemia. Chronic kidney disease is a classic cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism via hyperphosphatemia and low calcitriol, not the primary form asked here. Thyroid carcinoma and adrenal hyperplasia do not directly produce parathyroid hormone excess.
What is the main function of the thyroid gland?
- Regulate metabolism
- Control blood pressure
- Produce insulin
- Maintain bone density
Explanation: Answer reason: This is the thyroid gland’s primary physiologic role and explains classic hyperthyroid (weight loss, heat intolerance) and hypothyroid (weight gain, cold intolerance) patterns. Blood pressure can be influenced indirectly via metabolic and adrenergic effects, but it is not the gland’s main function. Insulin production is a pancreatic beta-cell function, and bone density is primarily regulated by calcium/phosphate balance and other hormones (with thyroid calcitonin playing only a minor role clinically).
Which hormone causes uterine contractions during childbirth?
- Prolactin
- Estrogen
- Oxytocin
- Progesterone
Explanation: Answer reason: Uterine contractions in labor are primarily driven by a neuroendocrine reflex where increased cervical stretch triggers posterior pituitary release of a hormone that intensifies myometrial contractility. This mechanism creates a positive feedback loop (Ferguson reflex) that strengthens and coordinates contractions to facilitate delivery. Prolactin mainly supports milk production, not myometrial contraction. Progesterone generally maintains uterine quiescence during pregnancy, so it would not be the main mediator of labor contractions.
What is the primary function of insulin?
- To increase blood glucose levels
- To decrease blood glucose levels
- To regulate the menstrual cycle
- To stimulate the production of breast milk
Explanation: Answer reason: It also supports glycogen synthesis and suppresses gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, which further reduces circulating glucose. A common distractor is increasing glucose, which is primarily the role of counterregulatory hormones like glucagon and epinephrine. Menstrual cycle regulation and breast milk production are mediated mainly by gonadotropins/sex steroids and prolactin, not insulin.
Which gland is often referred to as the 'master gland'?
- Pineal Gland
- Adrenal Gland
- Thyroid Gland
- Pituitary Gland
Explanation: Answer reason: The anterior pituitary releases TSH, ACTH, LH/FSH, GH, and prolactin, thereby controlling thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonadal function and influencing growth and lactation. Although the hypothalamus is the primary controller via releasing hormones, the pituitary is classically termed the “master gland” because its hormones directly drive multiple peripheral glands. The pineal primarily regulates circadian rhythms (melatonin), while thyroid and adrenal glands are major effectors rather than central regulators.
Which hormone is primarily responsible for the "fight or flight" response?
- Insulin
- Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
- Estrogen
- Melatonin
Explanation: Answer reason: This hormone increases heart rate and contractility, causes bronchodilation, and mobilizes glucose via glycogenolysis and lipolysis to provide immediate energy. These physiologic effects match the fast, short-term stress response described. A common distractor is insulin, which promotes glucose uptake and storage and is not a stress-activation hormone.
What is the disease caused by the deficiency of insulin production?
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Diabetes Insipidus
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
Explanation: Answer reason: This mechanism defines diabetes mellitus, particularly type 1 diabetes where pancreatic beta-cell failure results in absolute insulin deficiency. In contrast, diabetes insipidus is due to deficient or ineffective ADH, causing dilute polyuria without hyperglycemia. Thyroid disorders primarily alter metabolic rate via T3/T4 and are not caused by insulin deficiency.
Which system regulates hormones in the body?
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Circulatory system
- Digestive system
Explanation: Answer reason: This gland-based signaling network is the core function of the endocrine system (e.g., pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, gonads). The nervous system can modulate endocrine activity via the hypothalamus, but it primarily communicates through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters rather than systemic hormone secretion. The circulatory system mainly transports hormones, and the digestive system primarily focuses on nutrient breakdown and absorption rather than overall hormonal regulation.
Management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is usually done with?
- PO hypoglycemic drugs
- Nutritional therapy
- NPH Insulin injections
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Many patients can meet glycemic goals with diet (often paired with activity) without needing medications, making it the usual initial management approach. Insulin is added when fasting or postprandial targets are not met despite nutrition therapy. Oral hypoglycemics are not universally preferred in pregnancy and are generally considered second-line/alternative depending on guideline and clinical context, so they are not the usual default.
Ms. ALM has been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder. Which of the following signs and symptoms were most probably exhibited by the client that led to the diagnosis?
- Increased appetite, weight loss, hyperdefecation
- Increased urination, weight loss, increased thirst
- Decreased appetite, weight gain, constipation
- Increased urination, weight gain, and purplish red striae
Explanation: Answer reason: A slowed metabolism produces weight gain despite reduced appetite and decreases gastrointestinal motility, causing constipation. In contrast, increased appetite with weight loss and frequent stools aligns with hyperthyroidism, not Hashimoto’s typical presentation. Polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss suggest diabetes mellitus, while purplish striae with weight gain suggests hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome).
During a health history, a 59-year-old male client is being evaluated for possible type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following client statements support the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes?
- I have some shortness of breath when I exercise.
- No matter how much I drink, I'm still thirsty all the time.
- I wake up early in the morning and I can't return to sleep.
- In the past couple of weeks, I've been having a lot of trouble urinating.
Explanation: Answer reason: Persistent polydipsia is a classic symptom of hyperglycemia due to osmotic diuresis from glucosuria, which increases urine output and drives dehydration and thirst. This symptom is commonly reported in type 2 diabetes, especially when blood glucose has been elevated for some time. By contrast, exertional dyspnea and insomnia are nonspecific and do not directly reflect glucose dysregulation. “Trouble urinating” suggests dysuria/obstruction rather than the increased urination (polyuria) expected with uncontrolled diabetes.
What is the primary function of glucagon?
- To increase blood glucose levels
- To decrease blood glucose levels
- To regulate the menstrual cycle
- To stimulate the production of breast milk
Explanation: Answer reason: It raises plasma glucose primarily by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, increasing glucose release into the bloodstream. In contrast, lowering blood glucose is the role of insulin, not glucagon. Menstrual cycle regulation and lactation are mediated by gonadotropins/sex steroids and prolactin/oxytocin, respectively, not by glucagon.
Which of the following is the main function of the endocrine system?
- To produce hormones that control growth and metabolism
- To exchange gases between the air and the blood
- To break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed
- To eliminate solid and liquid wastes from the body
Explanation: Answer reason: These hormones control growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses through feedback loops (e.g., hypothalamic-pituitary axes). Gas exchange is primarily a respiratory system function, digestion is gastrointestinal, and waste elimination is mainly renal and gastrointestinal. Therefore, the option describing hormone production and regulation of growth/metabolism best matches endocrine function.
The hormone that regulates kidney water balance is?
- ADH
- Insulin
- Thyroxine
- Estrogen
Explanation: Answer reason: ADH (vasopressin) is the primary hormone that controls water reabsorption in the kidneys by increasing collecting duct permeability via aquaporin insertion. When ADH rises, urine becomes more concentrated and urine volume decreases, helping maintain plasma osmolality and circulating volume. Insulin primarily regulates glucose and potassium shifts rather than renal free-water handling. Thyroxine and estrogen can influence metabolism and fluid status indirectly but are not the key direct regulators of kidney water balance tested here.
A client is being treated for Addison’s disease. The physician orders cortisone 25 mg PO daily. The nurse should explain to the client that adjustment of the dosage may be required in which of the following situations?
- Dosage is increased when the blood glucose level increases.
- Dosage is decreased when dietary intake is increased.
- Dosage is decreased when infection stimulates endogenous steroid secretion.
- Dosage is increased relative to an increase in the level of stress.
Explanation: Answer reason: Physiologic stress normally triggers increased cortisol output; in Addison’s disease, the adrenal cortex cannot mount this response, so exogenous glucocorticoids must be “stress-dosed” to prevent adrenal crisis. Illness, surgery, trauma, or significant psychological stress can all increase cortisol requirements beyond the baseline replacement dose. Hyperglycemia is more commonly an adverse effect of glucocorticoids rather than an indication to increase replacement dosing. Infection does not reliably increase endogenous steroid secretion in primary adrenal insufficiency, so dose reduction during infection would be unsafe.
Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells?
- Glucagon
- Adrenaline
- Insulin
- Cortisol
Explanation: Answer reason: By increasing cellular uptake and storage of glucose, it directly reduces circulating blood sugar after meals. In contrast, glucagon raises blood glucose primarily via hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol also tend to increase glucose availability rather than drive uptake into cells.
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