NUR 2063 / NUR2063 Essentials of
Pathophysiology Exam 2 –
Rasmussen University (2026/2027)
Question:
What is hyperthyroidism (definition)?
Answer:
Excess thyroid hormone.
Question:
What is Graves disease and why does it cause hyperthyroidism?
Answer:
Autoimmune IgG antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor → excessive
thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis).
,Question:
What are the major manifestations of hyperthyroidism described?
Answer:
Weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, tachycardia/palpitations, tremor,
diarrhea, agitation/restlessness, weakness, irregular menses.
Question:
What is exophthalmos and what condition is it linked to in this chapter?
Answer:
Bulging eyes due to immune effects in Graves disease.
Question:
What is a goiter and why can it occur in hyperthyroidism?
Answer:
Enlarged thyroid from hyperplasia due to excessive stimulation.
Question:
What is hypothyroidism (definition)?
Answer:
Deficient thyroid hormone.
,Question:
What is Hashimoto thyroiditis?
Answer:
Autoimmune hypothyroidism that can destroy the thyroid gland.
Question:
What are the major manifestations of hypothyroidism described?
Answer:
Fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, coarse hair, constipation,
lethargy, memory problems, impaired reproduction.
Question:
What is myxedema and what endocrine disorder is it associated with?
Answer:
Boggy nonpitting edema from fluid pulled into tissues; associated with
hypothyroidism.
, Question:
What is Cushing syndrome (definition)?
Answer:
Prolonged exposure to high glucocorticoids (endogenous or taking
steroids).
Question:
What are the four major causes of Cushing syndrome listed?
Answer:
Long-term corticosteroid meds, pituitary tumor ↑ACTH, adrenal tumor
↑cortisol, ectopic ACTH/CRH tumor (ex: small cell lung cancer).
Question:
What classic body-shape findings are linked to Cushing syndrome?
Answer:
Central obesity, 'moon face,' 'buffalo hump,' and striae.
Question:
Why do people with Cushing syndrome get weak arms/legs and thin skin?
Answer:
Protein breakdown → muscle wasting/weakness and atrophic thin skin.
Pathophysiology Exam 2 –
Rasmussen University (2026/2027)
Question:
What is hyperthyroidism (definition)?
Answer:
Excess thyroid hormone.
Question:
What is Graves disease and why does it cause hyperthyroidism?
Answer:
Autoimmune IgG antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor → excessive
thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis).
,Question:
What are the major manifestations of hyperthyroidism described?
Answer:
Weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, tachycardia/palpitations, tremor,
diarrhea, agitation/restlessness, weakness, irregular menses.
Question:
What is exophthalmos and what condition is it linked to in this chapter?
Answer:
Bulging eyes due to immune effects in Graves disease.
Question:
What is a goiter and why can it occur in hyperthyroidism?
Answer:
Enlarged thyroid from hyperplasia due to excessive stimulation.
Question:
What is hypothyroidism (definition)?
Answer:
Deficient thyroid hormone.
,Question:
What is Hashimoto thyroiditis?
Answer:
Autoimmune hypothyroidism that can destroy the thyroid gland.
Question:
What are the major manifestations of hypothyroidism described?
Answer:
Fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, coarse hair, constipation,
lethargy, memory problems, impaired reproduction.
Question:
What is myxedema and what endocrine disorder is it associated with?
Answer:
Boggy nonpitting edema from fluid pulled into tissues; associated with
hypothyroidism.
, Question:
What is Cushing syndrome (definition)?
Answer:
Prolonged exposure to high glucocorticoids (endogenous or taking
steroids).
Question:
What are the four major causes of Cushing syndrome listed?
Answer:
Long-term corticosteroid meds, pituitary tumor ↑ACTH, adrenal tumor
↑cortisol, ectopic ACTH/CRH tumor (ex: small cell lung cancer).
Question:
What classic body-shape findings are linked to Cushing syndrome?
Answer:
Central obesity, 'moon face,' 'buffalo hump,' and striae.
Question:
Why do people with Cushing syndrome get weak arms/legs and thin skin?
Answer:
Protein breakdown → muscle wasting/weakness and atrophic thin skin.
