,Geneva College NURS 231 Module 9 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Portage
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. True or False: Hemoglobin A1C measures glucose control over the previous
6 months.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: The hemoglobin A1C test reflects average blood glucose levels
over approximately the previous 3 months, rather than 6. This corresponds
to the lifespan of the red blood cell (~120 days). It is the standard measure
for assessing long-term glycemic control in diabetes management.
2. A 40-year-old female presents with amenorrhea and weight loss despite
increased appetite. Physical examination reveals exophthalmos, tachycardia,
and warm, moist skin. Each of the following laboratory abnormalities are
expected EXCEPT:
A) Decreased TSH
B) Increased free T4
C) Increased TSH
D) Positive TSH-receptor antibodies
Correct Answer: Increased TSH
Rationale: In hyperthyroidism such as Graves' disease, TSH is typically
suppressed due to negative feedback from elevated free T4. Increased TSH
would be unexpected. The presence of TSH-receptor antibodies confirms the
autoimmune etiology.
,3. A paracrine hormone produces a biologic action on the cell that released
it.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Paracrine hormones act locally on neighboring cells, not on the
cell that released them. An autocrine hormone is a hormone that produces a
biologic action on the cell that released it.
4. Signs and symptoms of Addison's disease include each of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Hyperpigmentation
B) Hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Addison’s disease is a chronic adrenal insufficiency leading to
decreased cortisol and aldosterone, resulting in hypotension (from salt
wasting), weight loss, and hyperpigmentation (from elevated ACTH cross-
reacting with melanocortin receptors). Hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia, is
common due to deficient gluconeogenesis.
5. The following are common signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome
EXCEPT:
A) Central obesity
B) Buffalo hump
, C) Hypoglycemia
D) Moon facies
Correct Answer: Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Cushing syndrome typically causes hyperglycemia due to
glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased gluconeogenesis. The
classic features—central obesity, dorsocervical fat pad ("buffalo hump"), and
rounded facial appearance ("moon facies")—are due to altered fat
metabolism.
6. True or False: Most hormones are controlled through positive feedback.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Most hormones are controlled through negative feedback loops,
which maintain homeostasis by counteracting deviations from a set point.
Positive feedback is rare in endocrine regulation, though it occurs in specific
processes like oxytocin release during childbirth.
7. True or False: A paracrine hormone is a hormone that acts locally on cells
other than those that produce the hormone.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
Learning Q&A | Pathophysiology
1. True or False: Hemoglobin A1C measures glucose control over the previous
6 months.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: The hemoglobin A1C test reflects average blood glucose levels
over approximately the previous 3 months, rather than 6. This corresponds
to the lifespan of the red blood cell (~120 days). It is the standard measure
for assessing long-term glycemic control in diabetes management.
2. A 40-year-old female presents with amenorrhea and weight loss despite
increased appetite. Physical examination reveals exophthalmos, tachycardia,
and warm, moist skin. Each of the following laboratory abnormalities are
expected EXCEPT:
A) Decreased TSH
B) Increased free T4
C) Increased TSH
D) Positive TSH-receptor antibodies
Correct Answer: Increased TSH
Rationale: In hyperthyroidism such as Graves' disease, TSH is typically
suppressed due to negative feedback from elevated free T4. Increased TSH
would be unexpected. The presence of TSH-receptor antibodies confirms the
autoimmune etiology.
,3. A paracrine hormone produces a biologic action on the cell that released
it.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Paracrine hormones act locally on neighboring cells, not on the
cell that released them. An autocrine hormone is a hormone that produces a
biologic action on the cell that released it.
4. Signs and symptoms of Addison's disease include each of the following
EXCEPT:
A) Hyperpigmentation
B) Hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Addison’s disease is a chronic adrenal insufficiency leading to
decreased cortisol and aldosterone, resulting in hypotension (from salt
wasting), weight loss, and hyperpigmentation (from elevated ACTH cross-
reacting with melanocortin receptors). Hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia, is
common due to deficient gluconeogenesis.
5. The following are common signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome
EXCEPT:
A) Central obesity
B) Buffalo hump
, C) Hypoglycemia
D) Moon facies
Correct Answer: Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Cushing syndrome typically causes hyperglycemia due to
glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased gluconeogenesis. The
classic features—central obesity, dorsocervical fat pad ("buffalo hump"), and
rounded facial appearance ("moon facies")—are due to altered fat
metabolism.
6. True or False: Most hormones are controlled through positive feedback.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: False
Rationale: Most hormones are controlled through negative feedback loops,
which maintain homeostasis by counteracting deviations from a set point.
Positive feedback is rare in endocrine regulation, though it occurs in specific
processes like oxytocin release during childbirth.
7. True or False: A paracrine hormone is a hormone that acts locally on cells
other than those that produce the hormone.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: True
