BIOD 331 Pathophysiology - Module 7 Exam: Endocrine, Diabetes, and
Pituitary Disorders 2026/2027 UPDATE – Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the primary pathophysiology of Type 1
Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Peripheral insulin resistance in muscle and adipose tissue
C. Decreased glucose absorption in the small intestine
D. Hypersecretion of insulin by the pancreatic alpha cells
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due to the
autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans.
2. In the context of endocrine disorders, what defines a ‘secondary’ endocrine
disorder?
A. A defect in the target gland itself
B. A defect in the hypothalamus
C. A resistance of peripheral tissues to the hormone
D. A defect in the pituitary gland affecting the target gland
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary disorders occur when the pituitary gland fails to stimulate the target
gland properly, whereas primary disorders originate in the target gland itself.
,3. A patient presents with ‘moon face,’ ‘buffalo hump,’ and abdominal striae.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Cushing’s Syndrome
B. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
C. Addison’s Disease
D. Diabetes Insipidus
Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess glucocorticoids,
leading to characteristic fat redistribution like a buffalo hump and moon face.
4. What is the primary cause of polyuria in a patient with uncontrolled Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Osmotic diuresis caused by glucose in the urine
B. Decreased levels of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
C. Increased thirst leading to high water intake
D. Renal tubule resistance to aldosterone
Answer: A
Rationale: When blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold, glucose is excreted in the
urine (glycosuria), pulling water with it via osmosis, leading to polyuria.
5. Which hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored and released
by the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth Hormone (GH)
B. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
C. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
D. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: ADH and Oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus and transported to the
posterior pituitary for release into the bloodstream.
, 6. What is the hallmark clinical sign of Graves’ Disease that distinguishes it from
other forms of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight loss despite increased appetite
B. Tachycardia and palpitations
C. Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
D. Heat intolerance and sweating
Answer: C
Rationale: Exophthalmos is an infiltrative ophthalmopathy specific to Graves’ Disease,
caused by autoimmune-mediated inflammation of the extraocular muscles and fat.
7. Which lab finding is consistent with primary hypothyroidism?
A. Low TSH and high T4
B. Low TSH and low T4
C. High TSH and high T4
D. High TSH and low T4
Answer: D
Rationale: In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce T4. The lack of
negative feedback causes the pituitary to secrete high levels of TSH.
8. In Diabetes Insipidus, what is the primary pathophysiological defect?
A. Excessive insulin production
B. Overproduction of Aldosterone
C. Deficiency or decreased response to ADH
D. Inability of the pancreas to secrete glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus involves a lack of ADH (central) or a lack of response to ADH
(nephrogenic), preventing the kidneys from concentrating urine.
Pituitary Disorders 2026/2027 UPDATE – Portage Learning
1. Which of the following describes the primary pathophysiology of Type 1
Diabetes Mellitus?
A. Autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells
B. Peripheral insulin resistance in muscle and adipose tissue
C. Decreased glucose absorption in the small intestine
D. Hypersecretion of insulin by the pancreatic alpha cells
Answer: A
Rationale: Type 1 Diabetes is characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency due to the
autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans.
2. In the context of endocrine disorders, what defines a ‘secondary’ endocrine
disorder?
A. A defect in the target gland itself
B. A defect in the hypothalamus
C. A resistance of peripheral tissues to the hormone
D. A defect in the pituitary gland affecting the target gland
Answer: D
Rationale: Secondary disorders occur when the pituitary gland fails to stimulate the target
gland properly, whereas primary disorders originate in the target gland itself.
,3. A patient presents with ‘moon face,’ ‘buffalo hump,’ and abdominal striae.
Which condition is most likely?
A. Cushing’s Syndrome
B. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
C. Addison’s Disease
D. Diabetes Insipidus
Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing’s Syndrome results from chronic exposure to excess glucocorticoids,
leading to characteristic fat redistribution like a buffalo hump and moon face.
4. What is the primary cause of polyuria in a patient with uncontrolled Diabetes
Mellitus?
A. Osmotic diuresis caused by glucose in the urine
B. Decreased levels of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
C. Increased thirst leading to high water intake
D. Renal tubule resistance to aldosterone
Answer: A
Rationale: When blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold, glucose is excreted in the
urine (glycosuria), pulling water with it via osmosis, leading to polyuria.
5. Which hormone is synthesized in the hypothalamus but stored and released
by the posterior pituitary?
A. Growth Hormone (GH)
B. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
C. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
D. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Answer: C
Rationale: ADH and Oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus and transported to the
posterior pituitary for release into the bloodstream.
, 6. What is the hallmark clinical sign of Graves’ Disease that distinguishes it from
other forms of hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight loss despite increased appetite
B. Tachycardia and palpitations
C. Exophthalmos (bulging eyes)
D. Heat intolerance and sweating
Answer: C
Rationale: Exophthalmos is an infiltrative ophthalmopathy specific to Graves’ Disease,
caused by autoimmune-mediated inflammation of the extraocular muscles and fat.
7. Which lab finding is consistent with primary hypothyroidism?
A. Low TSH and high T4
B. Low TSH and low T4
C. High TSH and high T4
D. High TSH and low T4
Answer: D
Rationale: In primary hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce T4. The lack of
negative feedback causes the pituitary to secrete high levels of TSH.
8. In Diabetes Insipidus, what is the primary pathophysiological defect?
A. Excessive insulin production
B. Overproduction of Aldosterone
C. Deficiency or decreased response to ADH
D. Inability of the pancreas to secrete glucagon
Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus involves a lack of ADH (central) or a lack of response to ADH
(nephrogenic), preventing the kidneys from concentrating urine.
