Endocrine System Practice Test 4
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 4th 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 4
Which hormone functions in the heart?
- LH
- ADH
- FSH
- ANP
Explanation: Answer reason: ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) is produced by atrial myocytes in the heart and acts to reduce blood volume and pressure; LH and FSH are gonadotropins and ADH acts primarily on the kidneys.
Which of the following is a symptom of hypothyroidism?
- BMI increase
- Loose motions
- Weight increase
- Good appetite
Explanation: Answer reason: Hypothyroidism commonly presents with weight gain due to reduced metabolic rate; diarrhea (loose motions) and increased appetite are more typical of hyperthyroidism.
Buffalo hump is a clinical feature of which condition?
- Cushing syndrome
- Addison disease
- Pheochromocytoma
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: A dorsocervical fat pad (buffalo hump) is characteristic of hypercortisolism seen in Cushing syndrome; it is not a feature of Addison disease or pheochromocytoma.
Testosterone is a type of what?
- Hormone
- Virus
- Disease
- Bacteria
Explanation: Answer reason: Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone produced primarily by the testes; it is not a virus, disease, or bacterium.
Which condition is characterized by osteopenia and renal calculi?
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Hypopituitarism
- Hypothyroidism
Explanation: Answer reason: Excess PTH increases bone resorption causing osteopenia and raises serum/urinary calcium leading to kidney stones; the other conditions do not present with this combination.
Which of the following is the precursor of vitamin D?
- Glycolipid
- Cholesterol
- Ergosterol
- Cephalins
Explanation: Answer reason: In humans, vitamin D3 is synthesized in skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol, a derivative of cholesterol; therefore cholesterol is the precursor. (Ergosterol is the precursor for vitamin D2 in plants/fungi.).
Where is ADH produced in the body?
- Pons
- Hypothalamus
- Medulla Oblongata
- Posterior pituitary
Explanation: Answer reason: ADH (vasopressin) is synthesized in the hypothalamus—mainly the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei—and stored/released from the posterior pituitary.
Which gland is responsible for initiating the menstrual cycle?
- Hypothalamus
- Anterior Pituitary Gland (APG)
- Posterior Pituitary Gland (PPG)
- Ovaries
Explanation: Answer reason: The menstrual cycle is initiated by hypothalamic release of GnRH, which stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH.
Which hormone is not produced by the placenta?
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- HCG
Explanation: Answer reason: The placenta synthesizes estrogen, progesterone, and hCG (and hPL), but it does not produce testosterone.
Which gland regulates the calcium level in the blood?
- Thyroid Gland
- Adrenal Gland
- Pancreas
- Pineal Gland
Explanation: Answer reason: Thyroid C-cells secrete calcitonin, which lowers blood calcium levels; among the options listed, the thyroid is the gland involved in calcium regulation.
Insulin is released by which cells?
- Alpha cells
- Beta cells
- Gamma cells
- All
Explanation: Answer reason: Insulin is produced and secreted by pancreatic islet beta cells; alpha cells secrete glucagon and gamma cells do not secrete insulin.
Which of the following hormones inhibits release of growth hormone?
- Somatotropin
- Somatostatin
- Dopamine
- Thyrotropin inhibiting hormone
Explanation: Answer reason: Somatostatin (GHIH) from the hypothalamus inhibits growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary. Somatotropin is GH itself; dopamine primarily inhibits prolactin.
Which hormone is known as the emergency hormone?
- Progesterone
- Insulin
- Adrenaline
- Testosterone
Explanation: Answer reason: Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released from the adrenal medulla during acute stress to drive the fight-or-flight response, hence called the emergency hormone.
Which hormone can make you feel hungry even when you are technically full?
- Leptin
- Insulin
- Ghrelin
- Peptide YY
Explanation: Answer reason: Ghrelin, secreted by the stomach, is the primary hunger-promoting hormone and can stimulate appetite even when energy stores are adequate.
Oxytocin is produced by which gland?
- Anterior Pituitary
- Hypothalamus
- Posterior Pituitary
- Ovaries
Explanation: Answer reason: Oxytocin is synthesized in neurons of the hypothalamus (paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei) and then stored/released from the posterior pituitary.
Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse recognize as pertinent to a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome?
- Low blood pressure and weight loss.
- Thin extremities with easy bruising.
- Decreased urinary output and decreased serum potassium.
- Tachycardia with complaints of night sweats.
Explanation: Answer reason: Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol) causes muscle wasting of the limbs and skin/vascular fragility, leading to thin extremities and easy bruising. The other choices are inconsistent (Cushing’s usually has hypertension and weight gain; oliguria is not typical though hypokalemia may occur; night sweats/tachycardia suggest other disorders).
Hormone that binds to cell surface receptor and require the second messenger camp is?
- Antidiuretic hormone
- Cholecystokinin
- Calcitriol
- Gastrin
Explanation: Answer reason: ADH is a peptide hormone that acts on cell-surface V2 receptors in the kidney and signals via adenylate cyclase to increase cAMP. CCK and gastrin mainly signal via IP3/DAG pathways, and calcitriol uses an intracellular nuclear receptor.
Parathyroid hormone?
- Is released when serum Ca++ is too high
- Inactivates vitamin D
- Is secreted when Ca++ is too low
- Depends on vitamin K for adequate activity
Explanation: Answer reason: Parathyroid hormone is released in response to hypocalcemia to raise serum Ca++ by increasing bone resorption, renal Ca++ reabsorption, and activation of vitamin D. It is not released when Ca++ is high, does not inactivate vitamin D, and does not require vitamin K.
A hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus is?
- Melatonin
- Melanocyte stimulating hormone
- Vasopressin
- Prolactin
Explanation: Answer reason: Vasopressin (ADH) is synthesized in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and released from the posterior pituitary. Melatonin is from the pineal gland, MSH and prolactin are produced by the anterior pituitary.
Acromegaly results in all the following except?
- Overgrowth of the bones of face, hands and feet
- Increased stature
- Enlargements of viscera
- Impaired glucose tolerance
Explanation: Answer reason: Acromegaly is excess growth hormone after epiphyseal closure, so height does not increase. It causes enlargement of facial bones and extremities, visceral organ enlargement, and insulin resistance leading to impaired glucose tolerance.
A nurse assessing the newborn of a diabetic mother understands that hypoglycemia is related to?
- Disruption of fetal glucose supply
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Maternal insulin dependency
- Reduced glycogen reserves
Explanation: Answer reason: In utero, maternal hyperglycemia crosses the placenta, causing fetal hyperinsulinemia. At birth the maternal glucose supply ceases abruptly while insulin remains high, producing neonatal hypoglycemia.
All of the following statements regarding angiotensin II are true EXCEPT?
- It is a peptide hormone
- It stimulates the secretion of aldosterone
- Angiotensin I is almost as potent as angiotensin II
- It is a potent vasoconstrictor
Explanation: Answer reason: Angiotensin I has minimal biologic activity and is far less potent than angiotensin II. The other statements accurately describe angiotensin II: it is a peptide hormone, stimulates aldosterone secretion, and is a potent vasoconstrictor.
A client has been tentatively diagnosed with Graves' disease (hyperthyroidism). Which of the following symptoms noted on the initial nursing assessment is expected?
- Recent weight gain
- Physical growth delay
- Protruding eyeballs
- Sudden onset of irritability
Explanation: Answer reason: Graves' disease commonly presents with exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs) due to autoimmune inflammation of orbital tissues. Weight gain and growth delay are inconsistent with hyperthyroidism; irritability may occur but is not as distinctive.
Goitre, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, is caused by the deficiency of which substance?
- Iodine
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
Explanation: Answer reason: Iodine is required for thyroid hormone synthesis; deficiency leads to elevated TSH and thyroid enlargement (goitre).
How do endocrine glands release hormones?
- Directly into tissue
- Directly into blood
- Directly in the skin
- Through the duct in the body
Explanation: Answer reason: Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into the interstitial fluid, which then enter the bloodstream; they do not use ducts or release into skin.
What provides the strongest stimulation of lactation?
- PPH
- Sucking
- Metochlorpramide
- Bromocriptine
Explanation: Answer reason: Nipple suckling triggers the strongest neuroendocrine reflex for lactation, increasing prolactin and oxytocin release. Bromocriptine inhibits lactation; metoclopramide can raise prolactin but is less effective than suckling; PPH does not stimulate lactation.
If a newborn baby feeds on the mother's milk, which hormone production is stimulated as a result?
- Insulin
- Growth hormone
- Prolactin
- Thyroxin
Explanation: Answer reason: Nipple suckling triggers a neuroendocrine reflex that increases anterior pituitary secretion of prolactin, which stimulates milk production.
Which hormone is responsible for ovulation?
- FSH
- Testosterone
- Progesterone
- LH
Explanation: Answer reason: The LH surge triggers rupture of the dominant follicle and ovulation. FSH promotes follicular growth; progesterone maintains the luteal/secretory phase; testosterone is not responsible for ovulation.
Oxytocin is a/an?
- Enzyme
- Hormone
- Antibody
- Antigen
Explanation: Answer reason: Oxytocin is a peptide hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. It stimulates uterine contractions during labor and promotes milk letdown in lactation. It is not an enzyme, nor is it an immune protein such as an antibody or antigen.
Iodine deficiency causes?
- Kwashiorkor
- Anaemia
- Marasmus
- Goitre
Explanation: Answer reason: Iodine is essential for synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3/T4). Deficiency reduces hormone production, leading to increased TSH and compensatory thyroid hyperplasia, which manifests as goitre. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are forms of protein-energy malnutrition, not iodine deficiency disorders. Anaemia is not a primary consequence of iodine deficiency.
Goiter is caused due deficiency of-?
- Iron
- Vitamin
- Calcium
- Iodine
Explanation: Answer reason: Iodine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). When iodine intake is inadequate, thyroid hormone production falls, stimulating pituitary TSH release. Elevated TSH causes thyroid hypertrophy and enlargement, producing a goiter. Deficiencies of iron, vitamins, or calcium do not directly cause goiter.
The thyroid gland is located at the?
- Neck
- Base of the mid brain
- Top of kidney
Explanation: Answer reason: The thyroid gland lies in the anterior neck, just inferior to the larynx and anterior to the trachea. The base of the brain houses the pituitary gland, not the thyroid. The organs located on top of the kidneys are the adrenal (suprarenal) glands. Therefore, the correct location for the thyroid is the neck.
What is the largest endocrine gland?
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Adrenal
- Hypothalamus
- Thyroid
Explanation: Answer reason: The thyroid gland is the largest pure endocrine gland by mass in the human body, typically weighing 20–25 grams in adults. While the liver is the largest gland overall, it is not considered an endocrine gland. The pancreas is primarily exocrine; its endocrine islets constitute only a small fraction of its mass. Adrenal glands and the hypothalamus are smaller structures in comparison.
This is not an endocrine gland?
- Adrenal
- Pituitary
- Lacrimal
- Thyroid
Explanation: Answer reason: The lacrimal gland is an exocrine gland that secretes tears onto the ocular surface via ducts. In contrast, endocrine glands such as the adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid release hormones directly into the bloodstream with no ducts. Therefore, the lacrimal gland is not an endocrine gland.
Lack of ———— causes diabetes Mellitus?
- Sugar
- Insulin
- Calcium
- Vitamins
Explanation: Answer reason: Diabetes mellitus results from an absolute deficiency of insulin (type 1) or a relative deficiency due to insulin resistance (type 2), leading to inadequate insulin action. Insulin is required for cellular uptake of glucose; its absence or insufficiency causes persistent hyperglycemia. Thus, the causative lack is insulin, not sugar, calcium, or vitamins.
The primary hormone responsible for uterine contractions during labor is?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin
Explanation: Answer reason: Oxytocin, released from the posterior pituitary, binds to myometrial receptors and triggers intracellular calcium influx, leading to rhythmic uterine contractions essential for labor. Estrogen increases uterine sensitivity to oxytocin but does not directly cause contractions. Progesterone generally relaxes the uterus during pregnancy. Prolactin primarily stimulates milk production postpartum.
Which organ secretes insulin?
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Gall bladder
- Heart
Explanation: Answer reason: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The liver responds to insulin by storing glycogen but does not secrete it. The gallbladder stores bile, and the heart secretes atrial natriuretic peptide, not insulin.
which is the following hormone directly regulates blood glucose level?
- FSH
- LH
- Insulin
- FSH
Explanation: Answer reason: Insulin directly lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake of glucose (via GLUT4 in muscle and adipose), stimulating glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. This tightly regulates postprandial glucose levels. FSH and LH are pituitary gonadotropins involved in reproductive function and do not control blood glucose.
The reabsorption of water in the human kidney is under the control of -?
- LH
- ADH
- STH
- ACTH
Explanation: Answer reason: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary increases water reabsorption in the kidney collecting ducts by promoting insertion of aquaporin-2 channels via V2 receptors and cAMP signaling. This concentrates urine and conserves body water in response to increased plasma osmolality or decreased circulating volume. LH, STH (growth hormone), and ACTH do not directly control renal water reabsorption.
Which of the following gland controls the blood pressure?
- Thalamus gland
- Adrenal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Pancreas gland
Explanation: Answer reason: The adrenal cortex secretes aldosterone, which regulates sodium and water retention, thereby increasing intravascular volume and blood pressure. The adrenal medulla releases catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) that increase heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction, acutely raising blood pressure. The thyroid and pancreas influence metabolism and glucose, not primary blood pressure control, and the thalamus is not an endocrine gland.
Progesterone is secreted by?
- Thymus
- Thyroid
- Testis
- Corpus luteum
Explanation: Answer reason: After ovulation, the corpus luteum forms from the ruptured follicle and secretes progesterone, which stabilizes and prepares the endometrium for implantation. The thymus and thyroid are not steroid hormone–producing glands and do not produce progesterone. The testis primarily secretes testosterone and small amounts of other androgens, not progesterone. Therefore, the corpus luteum is the correct source.
Which hormone is known as the 'pregnancy hormone'?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- HCG
- Oxytocin
Explanation: Answer reason: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast shortly after implantation and is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests. It maintains the corpus luteum, supporting progesterone production until the placenta assumes this role. Because its presence specifically signals implantation and early pregnancy, hCG is widely referred to as the 'pregnancy hormone.
Placenta secretes the hormone?
- Testosterone
- Oxytocin
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin
- Luteinizing hormone
Explanation: Answer reason: The placenta functions as a transient endocrine organ and secretes human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) early in pregnancy. hCG maintains the corpus luteum, supporting progesterone production until the placenta can synthesize sufficient progesterone itself. Testosterone is primarily produced by the testes/ovaries, oxytocin by the posterior pituitary, and luteinizing hormone by the anterior pituitary.
The Thyroid Gland doesn't produce?
- T3 Hormone
- T4 Hormone
- Calcitonin
- Oxytocin
Explanation: Answer reason: The thyroid gland synthesizes triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin from its follicular and parafollicular C cells. Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus and stored and released by the posterior pituitary gland. Therefore, oxytocin is not a product of the thyroid gland.
The hormone responsible for growth is?
- GH
- TSH
- ACTH
- FSH
Explanation: Answer reason: Growth hormone (GH, somatotropin) from the anterior pituitary stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, promoting linear bone growth, protein synthesis, and tissue growth. TSH primarily regulates the thyroid gland, ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex, and FSH regulates gonadal function. These do not directly drive systemic growth like GH.
The endocrine gland, which controls the functions of other endocrine glands is -?
- Adrenal
- Pancreas
- Pituitary
- Thyroid
Explanation: Answer reason: The pituitary gland is considered the master endocrine gland because it secretes multiple tropic hormones that regulate other glands. TSH stimulates the thyroid, ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex, and LH/FSH regulate the gonads. Its function is coordinated by the hypothalamus, allowing central control of peripheral endocrine organs.
What are the functions of thyroid gland in the body?
- Controls metabolism
- Maintain internal homeostasis
- Controls breathing and heart rate
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) regulate basal metabolic rate and thermogenesis, thus controlling metabolism. They are key endocrine regulators contributing to overall internal homeostasis. These hormones increase beta-adrenergic sensitivity, elevating heart rate and cardiac output, and they influence ventilatory drive and oxygen consumption, indirectly affecting breathing. Therefore, all listed functions are encompassed by thyroid activity.
What is the main function of the parathyroid gland?
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Produces adrenaline in response to stress
- Controls calcium levels in the blood
- Secretes digestive enzymes
Explanation: Answer reason: The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is released when serum calcium falls. PTH raises blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption, increasing renal calcium reabsorption, and activating vitamin D to enhance intestinal calcium absorption. It does not regulate glucose, produce adrenaline, or secrete digestive enzymes.
Which hormone is responsible for the milk letdown reflex in mothers?
- Prolactin
- Estrogen
- Oxytocin
- Insulin
Explanation: Answer reason: The milk letdown (ejection) reflex is triggered by nipple stimulation, leading to posterior pituitary release of oxytocin. Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli in the mammary glands, expelling milk. Prolactin primarily stimulates milk production, not ejection. Estrogen and insulin are not responsible for the letdown reflex.
The thyroid gland is located in the?
- Abdomen
- Neck
- Brain
- Chest
Explanation: Answer reason: The thyroid gland lies in the anterior neck, inferior to the larynx, and overlies the trachea with two lobes connected by an isthmus. It is not located in the abdomen, chest, or brain. This anatomic position is key for palpation and surgical approaches.
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