HPA EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026
What are glucocorticoids primarily used for? - Answers They are used for their anti-
inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity in various disease states.
What is the risk of prolonged glucocorticoid use? - Answers It can lead to suppression of the
natural HPA axis, causing the body to be unable to produce its own glucocorticoids.
How should glucocorticoids be discontinued after prolonged use? - Answers They should be
tapered off slowly rather than discontinued abruptly.
What is the preferred glucocorticoid for adrenal insufficiency replacement? - Answers
Hydrocortisone is preferred for glucocorticoid replacement.
What is the role of fludrocortisone? - Answers Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid used in
conjunction with glucocorticoids for adrenal insufficiency.
What are common side effects of glucocorticoid therapy? - Answers Side effects include
hyperglycemia, HPA axis suppression, immunosuppression, osteoporosis, muscle weakness,
cataracts, and Cushing's syndrome.
What are common side effects of mineralocorticoid therapy? - Answers Side effects include
gastric upset, edema, hypertension, hypokalemia, insomnia, and excitability.
What is Cushing's disease and how is it primarily treated? - Answers Cushing's disease is caused
by overproduction of glucocorticoids, primarily treated with surgery.
What medications can be used if surgery for Cushing's disease is not possible? - Answers
Medications can include neuromodulators of ACTH, steroidogenic inhibitors, and glucocorticoid
receptor antagonists.
What is hyperaldosteronism? - Answers It is a condition characterized by excessive production
of mineralocorticoids.
What are the main treatments for hyperaldosteronism? - Answers Mineralocorticoid receptor
antagonists like spironolactone and eplerenone are used.
What are the side effects of spironolactone? - Answers Side effects include hyperkalemia,
drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gynecomastia.
What is the main treatment for hypothyroidism? - Answers Levothyroxine is the main treatment
for replacing deficient thyroid hormone.
What are glucocorticoids primarily used for? - Answers They are used for their anti-
inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity in various disease states.
What is the risk of prolonged glucocorticoid use? - Answers It can lead to suppression of the
natural HPA axis, causing the body to be unable to produce its own glucocorticoids.
How should glucocorticoids be discontinued after prolonged use? - Answers They should be
tapered off slowly rather than discontinued abruptly.
What is the preferred glucocorticoid for adrenal insufficiency replacement? - Answers
Hydrocortisone is preferred for glucocorticoid replacement.
What is the role of fludrocortisone? - Answers Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid used in
conjunction with glucocorticoids for adrenal insufficiency.
What are common side effects of glucocorticoid therapy? - Answers Side effects include
hyperglycemia, HPA axis suppression, immunosuppression, osteoporosis, muscle weakness,
cataracts, and Cushing's syndrome.
What are common side effects of mineralocorticoid therapy? - Answers Side effects include
gastric upset, edema, hypertension, hypokalemia, insomnia, and excitability.
What is Cushing's disease and how is it primarily treated? - Answers Cushing's disease is caused
by overproduction of glucocorticoids, primarily treated with surgery.
What medications can be used if surgery for Cushing's disease is not possible? - Answers
Medications can include neuromodulators of ACTH, steroidogenic inhibitors, and glucocorticoid
receptor antagonists.
What is hyperaldosteronism? - Answers It is a condition characterized by excessive production
of mineralocorticoids.
What are the main treatments for hyperaldosteronism? - Answers Mineralocorticoid receptor
antagonists like spironolactone and eplerenone are used.
What are the side effects of spironolactone? - Answers Side effects include hyperkalemia,
drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gynecomastia.
What is the main treatment for hypothyroidism? - Answers Levothyroxine is the main treatment
for replacing deficient thyroid hormone.
