1
BIOS256 Anatomy & Physiology IV Exam 1
2026/2027 Actual Exam - Complete Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified
Graded A+ Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System (Q1-15)
1. A patient with a history of Graves' disease presents with exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and a
goiter. The nurse understands that the pathophysiology of this condition involves:
A. Hyposecretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
B. Autoantibodies that mimic TSH, stimulating the thyroid gland.
C. Pituitary adenoma secreting excessive TSH.
D. Destruction of thyroid tissue leading to low T3 and T4 levels.
B. Autoantibodies that mimic TSH, stimulating the thyroid gland. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of Thyroid
Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSI) that bind to TSH receptors, causing excessive thyroid
hormone production (hyperthyroidism) and gland enlargement (goiter).
Correct Answer: B
2. In a laboratory experiment comparing steroid hormones and peptide hormones, which
mechanism of action is specific to steroid hormones?
A. Activation of second messenger systems like cAMP.
B. Binding to receptors on the cell surface.
C. Direct gene activation by entering the nucleus and binding to DNA.
D. Rapid onset of action lasting only a few minutes.
C. Direct gene activation by entering the nucleus and binding to DNA. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and can diffuse through the plasma membrane.
They typically bind to intracellular receptors, and the hormone-receptor complex acts as a
,2
transcription factor to regulate gene expression, which takes longer to produce an effect
compared to peptide hormones.
Correct Answer: C
3. A client is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. The nurse would expect to administer which
hormone to manage this condition?
A. Insulin
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH / Vasopressin)
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH / Vasopressin) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is caused by a deficiency of ADH or renal insensitivity to it. ADH
is responsible for water reabsorption in the kidneys; without it, the patient produces large
volumes of dilute urine.
Correct Answer: B
4. Which of the following is a negative feedback mechanism involving the endocrine system?
A. Oxytocin release during labor, which stimulates more uterine contractions.
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge triggering ovulation.
C. High blood calcium levels inhibiting the release of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
D. Blood clotting cascade.
C. High blood calcium levels inhibiting the release of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). [CORRECT]
Rationale: Negative feedback loops work to reduce the output of a system to maintain
homeostasis. Elevated blood calcium signals the parathyroid glands to stop secreting PTH,
lowering calcium levels.
Correct Answer: C
5. A patient presents with "moon face," "buffalo hump," and hyperglycemia. These signs are
indicative of excess secretion of which hormone?
,3
A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Thyroxine
B. Cortisol [CORRECT]
Rationale: These are classic signs of Cushing's syndrome, which results from hypersecretion of
cortisol (hypercortisolism). Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis (leading to hyperglycemia) and
fat redistribution.
Correct Answer: B
6. The posterior pituitary gland stores and releases hormones produced by the:
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary
C. Pineal gland
D. Thyroid gland
A. Hypothalamus [CORRECT]
Rationale: The posterior pituitary is an extension of the hypothalamus. It stores and releases
oxytocin and ADH, which are synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the
hypothalamus.
Correct Answer: A
7. Which pancreatic islet cell is responsible for secreting glucagon, and what is its primary
effect?
A. Alpha cells; lowers blood glucose.
B. Beta cells; raises blood glucose.
C. Alpha cells; raises blood glucose.
D. Beta cells; lowers blood glucose.
C. Alpha cells; raises blood glucose. [CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: Alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon. Glucagon stimulates the liver
to break down glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) and release it into the blood, raising blood
glucose levels.
Correct Answer: C
8. A patient has a tumor in the adrenal medulla. The nurse monitors for signs of excess:
A. Mineralocorticoids
B. Glucocorticoids
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine)
D. Androgens
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine) [CORRECT]
Rationale: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) as part
of the sympathetic nervous system response (fight or flight). A tumor (pheochromocytoma)
causes hypertension, palpitations, and anxiety.
Correct Answer: C
9. How does thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) affect the body's metabolic rate?
A. It decreases basal metabolic rate (BMR) and promotes sleep.
B. It increases basal metabolic rate (BMR) by stimulating oxygen consumption and heat
production.
C. It has no effect on metabolism but regulates growth.
D. It lowers blood calcium levels.
B. It increases basal metabolic rate (BMR) by stimulating oxygen consumption and heat
production. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Thyroid hormones are calorigenic, meaning they increase the rate of metabolism in
nearly all body tissues, leading to increased oxygen consumption and heat production.
Correct Answer: B
BIOS256 Anatomy & Physiology IV Exam 1
2026/2027 Actual Exam - Complete Questions
with Detailed Rationales | 100% Verified
Graded A+ Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine System (Q1-15)
1. A patient with a history of Graves' disease presents with exophthalmos (bulging eyes) and a
goiter. The nurse understands that the pathophysiology of this condition involves:
A. Hyposecretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
B. Autoantibodies that mimic TSH, stimulating the thyroid gland.
C. Pituitary adenoma secreting excessive TSH.
D. Destruction of thyroid tissue leading to low T3 and T4 levels.
B. Autoantibodies that mimic TSH, stimulating the thyroid gland. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of Thyroid
Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSI) that bind to TSH receptors, causing excessive thyroid
hormone production (hyperthyroidism) and gland enlargement (goiter).
Correct Answer: B
2. In a laboratory experiment comparing steroid hormones and peptide hormones, which
mechanism of action is specific to steroid hormones?
A. Activation of second messenger systems like cAMP.
B. Binding to receptors on the cell surface.
C. Direct gene activation by entering the nucleus and binding to DNA.
D. Rapid onset of action lasting only a few minutes.
C. Direct gene activation by entering the nucleus and binding to DNA. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and can diffuse through the plasma membrane.
They typically bind to intracellular receptors, and the hormone-receptor complex acts as a
,2
transcription factor to regulate gene expression, which takes longer to produce an effect
compared to peptide hormones.
Correct Answer: C
3. A client is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. The nurse would expect to administer which
hormone to manage this condition?
A. Insulin
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH / Vasopressin)
C. Cortisol
D. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH / Vasopressin) [CORRECT]
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is caused by a deficiency of ADH or renal insensitivity to it. ADH
is responsible for water reabsorption in the kidneys; without it, the patient produces large
volumes of dilute urine.
Correct Answer: B
4. Which of the following is a negative feedback mechanism involving the endocrine system?
A. Oxytocin release during labor, which stimulates more uterine contractions.
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge triggering ovulation.
C. High blood calcium levels inhibiting the release of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
D. Blood clotting cascade.
C. High blood calcium levels inhibiting the release of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). [CORRECT]
Rationale: Negative feedback loops work to reduce the output of a system to maintain
homeostasis. Elevated blood calcium signals the parathyroid glands to stop secreting PTH,
lowering calcium levels.
Correct Answer: C
5. A patient presents with "moon face," "buffalo hump," and hyperglycemia. These signs are
indicative of excess secretion of which hormone?
,3
A. Aldosterone
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Thyroxine
B. Cortisol [CORRECT]
Rationale: These are classic signs of Cushing's syndrome, which results from hypersecretion of
cortisol (hypercortisolism). Cortisol promotes gluconeogenesis (leading to hyperglycemia) and
fat redistribution.
Correct Answer: B
6. The posterior pituitary gland stores and releases hormones produced by the:
A. Hypothalamus
B. Anterior pituitary
C. Pineal gland
D. Thyroid gland
A. Hypothalamus [CORRECT]
Rationale: The posterior pituitary is an extension of the hypothalamus. It stores and releases
oxytocin and ADH, which are synthesized in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the
hypothalamus.
Correct Answer: A
7. Which pancreatic islet cell is responsible for secreting glucagon, and what is its primary
effect?
A. Alpha cells; lowers blood glucose.
B. Beta cells; raises blood glucose.
C. Alpha cells; raises blood glucose.
D. Beta cells; lowers blood glucose.
C. Alpha cells; raises blood glucose. [CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: Alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon. Glucagon stimulates the liver
to break down glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis) and release it into the blood, raising blood
glucose levels.
Correct Answer: C
8. A patient has a tumor in the adrenal medulla. The nurse monitors for signs of excess:
A. Mineralocorticoids
B. Glucocorticoids
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine)
D. Androgens
C. Catecholamines (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine) [CORRECT]
Rationale: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) as part
of the sympathetic nervous system response (fight or flight). A tumor (pheochromocytoma)
causes hypertension, palpitations, and anxiety.
Correct Answer: C
9. How does thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) affect the body's metabolic rate?
A. It decreases basal metabolic rate (BMR) and promotes sleep.
B. It increases basal metabolic rate (BMR) by stimulating oxygen consumption and heat
production.
C. It has no effect on metabolism but regulates growth.
D. It lowers blood calcium levels.
B. It increases basal metabolic rate (BMR) by stimulating oxygen consumption and heat
production. [CORRECT]
Rationale: Thyroid hormones are calorigenic, meaning they increase the rate of metabolism in
nearly all body tissues, leading to increased oxygen consumption and heat production.
Correct Answer: B
