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NUR 209 Exam 3 Medical Surgical
Nursing II Test Bank with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales Grade A
1. What does the endocrine system do?
Correct Answer: Control hormones that affect: Growth, Metabolism,
Stress, Fluid balance
Rationale:
1. The endocrine system regulates body functions through hormone secretion.
2. Growth hormones control physical development and cell reproduction.
3. Metabolic hormones (thyroid) regulate energy production and utilization.
4. Stress hormones (cortisol, epinephrine) mediate the fight-or-flight
response.
5. Fluid balance hormones (ADH, aldosterone) control water and electrolyte
homeostasis.
2. How do endocrine glands release hormones?
Correct Answer: Directly into the bloodstream
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Rationale:
1. Endocrine glands are ductless glands.
2. Hormones are secreted directly into the interstitial fluid and then into the
bloodstream.
3. Blood carries hormones to target organs throughout the body.
4. This differs from exocrine glands which secrete through ducts.
3. Why is the pancreas unique?
Correct Answer: It is BOTH endocrine and exocrine
Rationale:
1. The pancreas has both endocrine functions (hormone secretion) and exocrine
functions (digestive enzyme secretion).
2. Endocrine pancreas: islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon into
blood.
3. Exocrine pancreas: acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes into the pancreatic
duct.
4. No other organ has such dual function.
4. What does insulin do?
Correct Answer: Lowers blood sugar
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Rationale:
1. Insulin is secreted by beta cells of the pancreas.
2. It facilitates glucose uptake into cells (muscle, liver, fat).
3. Insulin promotes glycogenesis (storage of glucose as glycogen).
4. It lowers blood glucose levels after meals.
5. What does glucagon do?
Correct Answer: Raises blood sugar
Rationale:
1. Glucagon is secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas.
2. It stimulates glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen to glucose).
3. It promotes gluconeogenesis (glucose production from amino acids).
4. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels during fasting or hypoglycemia.
6. What is the exocrine pancreas function?
Correct Answer: Digestion
Rationale:
1. Exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes.
2. These enzymes break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
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3. Enzymes are delivered to the duodenum via the pancreatic duct.
4. Exocrine dysfunction causes malabsorption and malnutrition.
7. Where do digestive enzymes go?
Correct Answer: Common bile duct → duodenum
Rationale:
1. Pancreatic enzymes travel through the pancreatic duct.
2. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct.
3. Together they empty into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
4. Bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas mix at this junction.
8. What does amylase break down?
Correct Answer: Carbohydrates
Rationale:
1. Amylase is a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands.
2. It breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into simpler sugars.
3. Elevated serum amylase indicates pancreatitis.
4. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the small
intestine.
NUR 209 Exam 3 Medical Surgical
Nursing II Test Bank with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales Grade A
1. What does the endocrine system do?
Correct Answer: Control hormones that affect: Growth, Metabolism,
Stress, Fluid balance
Rationale:
1. The endocrine system regulates body functions through hormone secretion.
2. Growth hormones control physical development and cell reproduction.
3. Metabolic hormones (thyroid) regulate energy production and utilization.
4. Stress hormones (cortisol, epinephrine) mediate the fight-or-flight
response.
5. Fluid balance hormones (ADH, aldosterone) control water and electrolyte
homeostasis.
2. How do endocrine glands release hormones?
Correct Answer: Directly into the bloodstream
,2|Page
Rationale:
1. Endocrine glands are ductless glands.
2. Hormones are secreted directly into the interstitial fluid and then into the
bloodstream.
3. Blood carries hormones to target organs throughout the body.
4. This differs from exocrine glands which secrete through ducts.
3. Why is the pancreas unique?
Correct Answer: It is BOTH endocrine and exocrine
Rationale:
1. The pancreas has both endocrine functions (hormone secretion) and exocrine
functions (digestive enzyme secretion).
2. Endocrine pancreas: islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon into
blood.
3. Exocrine pancreas: acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes into the pancreatic
duct.
4. No other organ has such dual function.
4. What does insulin do?
Correct Answer: Lowers blood sugar
,3|Page
Rationale:
1. Insulin is secreted by beta cells of the pancreas.
2. It facilitates glucose uptake into cells (muscle, liver, fat).
3. Insulin promotes glycogenesis (storage of glucose as glycogen).
4. It lowers blood glucose levels after meals.
5. What does glucagon do?
Correct Answer: Raises blood sugar
Rationale:
1. Glucagon is secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas.
2. It stimulates glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen to glucose).
3. It promotes gluconeogenesis (glucose production from amino acids).
4. Glucagon raises blood glucose levels during fasting or hypoglycemia.
6. What is the exocrine pancreas function?
Correct Answer: Digestion
Rationale:
1. Exocrine pancreas secretes digestive enzymes.
2. These enzymes break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
, 4|Page
3. Enzymes are delivered to the duodenum via the pancreatic duct.
4. Exocrine dysfunction causes malabsorption and malnutrition.
7. Where do digestive enzymes go?
Correct Answer: Common bile duct → duodenum
Rationale:
1. Pancreatic enzymes travel through the pancreatic duct.
2. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct.
3. Together they empty into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
4. Bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas mix at this junction.
8. What does amylase break down?
Correct Answer: Carbohydrates
Rationale:
1. Amylase is a digestive enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands.
2. It breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into simpler sugars.
3. Elevated serum amylase indicates pancreatitis.
4. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and continues in the small
intestine.
