Rasmussen College MDC II Exam Questions
and Answers (Verified Answers)
1. Which gland is considered the "master gland" as it secretes hormones that control
other parts of the endocrine system?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C
2. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is best described as:
A. An insulin resistance disorder caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyle
B. An autoimmune disorder where beta cells are destroyed
C. A disorder caused by excess glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. A condition caused by deficiency of glucocorticoids
Answer: B
3. Kussmaul breathing is described as:
A. Shallow, rapid breathing associated with anxiety
B. Irregular breathing pattern seen in end-stage renal disease
C. Labored, deeper breathing that is the lung's emergency response to acidosis,
most commonly associated with metabolic acidosis particularly in diabetes
D. Slow, deep breathing caused by CNS depression
Answer: C
4. To avoid secondary adrenal insufficiency when discontinuing glucocorticoid
therapy, the nurse knows that:
A. Glucocorticoids can be stopped abruptly without consequence
B. Glucocorticoids must be withdrawn slowly to allow pituitary protection of ACTH
and activation of the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol
C. Glucocorticoids should be replaced with mineralocorticoids immediately
D. The dose should be doubled before stopping to prevent rebound
Answer: B
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison's Disease. Which finding indicates that
therapy is working?
A. Patient reports decreased fatigue and weight gain
B. Patient remains alert and oriented x3
C. Sodium levels return to normal range
D. Blood glucose levels increase to normal
Answer: B
,6. Which laboratory findings are expected in a patient with Addison's Disease?
A. Increased sodium, decreased potassium, increased blood glucose
B. Decreased potassium, decreased BUN, increased cortisol
C. Increased potassium, increased calcium, increased BUN, decreased sodium,
decreased serum cortisol, and decreased fasting blood glucose
D. Decreased calcium, increased sodium, decreased BUN
Answer: C
7. Neuromuscular signs and symptoms of Addison's Disease include:
A. Hypertension, dependent edema, and bruising
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Muscle weakness, muscle/joint pain, and fatigue
D. Tremors, seizures, and altered mental status
Answer: C
8. Early detection treatment for Addisonian Crisis includes:
A. IV normal saline and regular insulin
B. Dexamethasone 4-12 mg IV bolus
C. Cortisol replacement and prednisone; additionally hydrocortisone sodium and
dexamethasone
D. Fluid restriction and electrolyte monitoring
Answer: C
9. The emergency treatment for Addisonian Crisis is:
A. Hydrocortisone 100mg IV push
B. Dexamethasone 4-12 mg IV bolus
C. Prednisone 20mg PO immediately
D. IV normal saline 1L bolus
Answer: B
10. Nursing interventions for an anorectal abscess include:
A. NPO, NG tube, and IV antibiotics
B. Pain management, sitz baths, keeping stool as liquid as possible, antibiotics, and
post-operative care including incision and drainage
C. Cold packs, stool softeners, and hemorrhoidectomy
D. Fiber supplements, fluid restriction, and wound irrigation
Answer: B
11. Which laboratory findings are expected in Anterior HYPERpituitarism?
A. Increased TSH, decreased prolactin, increased cortisol, decreased glucose
B. Increased prolactin, cortisol, TSH, LH (men), FSH (men), and glucose; decreased
gonadotropin
C. Decreased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol
, D. Increased ACTH, decreased LH, FSH, and testosterone
Answer: B
12. The two most life-threatening hormone deficiencies in Anterior HYPOpituitarism
are:
A. Prolactin and testosterone
B. LH and FSH
C. ACTH and TSH — because they cause decreased secretion of vital hormones
from the adrenal and thyroid glands
D. Estradiol and T3
Answer: C
13. Laboratory and diagnostic test findings in Anterior HYPOpituitarism include:
A. Increased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol
B. Decreased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol; CT/MRI to detect bone
or soft tissue lesions; skull X-ray to detect enlargement, erosions, or calcification of
the sella turcica
C. Increased TSH and cortisol with decreased ACTH
D. Decreased ACTH and TSH with increased gonadotropin
Answer: B
14. Nursing interventions for a patient with appendicitis include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. Administer IV fluids and antibiotics
B. Place patient in Semi-Fowler's position for comfort
C. Apply heat to the abdomen to relieve pain
D. Monitor fluid and electrolytes and manage pain
Answer: C
15. Signs and symptoms of appendicitis include:
A. Upper right quadrant pain radiating to the right shoulder, jaundice, and fever
B. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastric pain, and periumbilical pain
C. Severe diffuse abdominal pain, fever, and rebound tenderness
D. Diarrhea, blood in stool, and abdominal cramping
Answer: B
16. Signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
A. Upper abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder, jaundice, and fever
B. Diarrhea, blood in stool, and weight loss
C. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and decreased bowel
sounds
D. Periumbilical pain, rebound tenderness, and fever
Answer: C
and Answers (Verified Answers)
1. Which gland is considered the "master gland" as it secretes hormones that control
other parts of the endocrine system?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Hypothalamus
Answer: C
2. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is best described as:
A. An insulin resistance disorder caused by obesity and sedentary lifestyle
B. An autoimmune disorder where beta cells are destroyed
C. A disorder caused by excess glucagon secretion from alpha cells
D. A condition caused by deficiency of glucocorticoids
Answer: B
3. Kussmaul breathing is described as:
A. Shallow, rapid breathing associated with anxiety
B. Irregular breathing pattern seen in end-stage renal disease
C. Labored, deeper breathing that is the lung's emergency response to acidosis,
most commonly associated with metabolic acidosis particularly in diabetes
D. Slow, deep breathing caused by CNS depression
Answer: C
4. To avoid secondary adrenal insufficiency when discontinuing glucocorticoid
therapy, the nurse knows that:
A. Glucocorticoids can be stopped abruptly without consequence
B. Glucocorticoids must be withdrawn slowly to allow pituitary protection of ACTH
and activation of the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol
C. Glucocorticoids should be replaced with mineralocorticoids immediately
D. The dose should be doubled before stopping to prevent rebound
Answer: B
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with Addison's Disease. Which finding indicates that
therapy is working?
A. Patient reports decreased fatigue and weight gain
B. Patient remains alert and oriented x3
C. Sodium levels return to normal range
D. Blood glucose levels increase to normal
Answer: B
,6. Which laboratory findings are expected in a patient with Addison's Disease?
A. Increased sodium, decreased potassium, increased blood glucose
B. Decreased potassium, decreased BUN, increased cortisol
C. Increased potassium, increased calcium, increased BUN, decreased sodium,
decreased serum cortisol, and decreased fasting blood glucose
D. Decreased calcium, increased sodium, decreased BUN
Answer: C
7. Neuromuscular signs and symptoms of Addison's Disease include:
A. Hypertension, dependent edema, and bruising
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Muscle weakness, muscle/joint pain, and fatigue
D. Tremors, seizures, and altered mental status
Answer: C
8. Early detection treatment for Addisonian Crisis includes:
A. IV normal saline and regular insulin
B. Dexamethasone 4-12 mg IV bolus
C. Cortisol replacement and prednisone; additionally hydrocortisone sodium and
dexamethasone
D. Fluid restriction and electrolyte monitoring
Answer: C
9. The emergency treatment for Addisonian Crisis is:
A. Hydrocortisone 100mg IV push
B. Dexamethasone 4-12 mg IV bolus
C. Prednisone 20mg PO immediately
D. IV normal saline 1L bolus
Answer: B
10. Nursing interventions for an anorectal abscess include:
A. NPO, NG tube, and IV antibiotics
B. Pain management, sitz baths, keeping stool as liquid as possible, antibiotics, and
post-operative care including incision and drainage
C. Cold packs, stool softeners, and hemorrhoidectomy
D. Fiber supplements, fluid restriction, and wound irrigation
Answer: B
11. Which laboratory findings are expected in Anterior HYPERpituitarism?
A. Increased TSH, decreased prolactin, increased cortisol, decreased glucose
B. Increased prolactin, cortisol, TSH, LH (men), FSH (men), and glucose; decreased
gonadotropin
C. Decreased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol
, D. Increased ACTH, decreased LH, FSH, and testosterone
Answer: B
12. The two most life-threatening hormone deficiencies in Anterior HYPOpituitarism
are:
A. Prolactin and testosterone
B. LH and FSH
C. ACTH and TSH — because they cause decreased secretion of vital hormones
from the adrenal and thyroid glands
D. Estradiol and T3
Answer: C
13. Laboratory and diagnostic test findings in Anterior HYPOpituitarism include:
A. Increased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol
B. Decreased T3, T4, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol; CT/MRI to detect bone
or soft tissue lesions; skull X-ray to detect enlargement, erosions, or calcification of
the sella turcica
C. Increased TSH and cortisol with decreased ACTH
D. Decreased ACTH and TSH with increased gonadotropin
Answer: B
14. Nursing interventions for a patient with appendicitis include all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. Administer IV fluids and antibiotics
B. Place patient in Semi-Fowler's position for comfort
C. Apply heat to the abdomen to relieve pain
D. Monitor fluid and electrolytes and manage pain
Answer: C
15. Signs and symptoms of appendicitis include:
A. Upper right quadrant pain radiating to the right shoulder, jaundice, and fever
B. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastric pain, and periumbilical pain
C. Severe diffuse abdominal pain, fever, and rebound tenderness
D. Diarrhea, blood in stool, and abdominal cramping
Answer: B
16. Signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
A. Upper abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder, jaundice, and fever
B. Diarrhea, blood in stool, and weight loss
C. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and decreased bowel
sounds
D. Periumbilical pain, rebound tenderness, and fever
Answer: C
