Endocrinology Exam Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Diabetes Insipidus is a condition characterized by the body's inability to properly regulate water balance, leading to excessive urination and extreme thirst. This disorder is caused by a deficiency of vasopressin, also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Vasopressin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland to help regulate water balance in the body by controlling the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys. The lack of vasopressin in Diabetes Insipidus results in the kidneys producing a large volume of dilute urine, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Growth hormone is primarily released during sleep, particularly during the first few hours of deep sleep. This release is pulsatile in nature, with the majority occurring at night. Growth hormone plays a critical role in growth, repair, and development of body tissues during periods of rest and sleep. Additionally, the secretion of growth hormone is also influenced by factors such as stress, exercise, and nutritional status.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acromegaly is a disorder caused by excessive growth hormone production by the pituitary gland in adults, leading to an increase in muscle mass (hypertrophy). Hoffman syndrome, characterized by increased muscle mass with slowness of activity, is a clinical feature often seen in individuals with acromegaly. The excessive growth hormone levels in acromegaly can cause acral growth, soft tissue swelling, and muscle hypertrophy, contributing to the characteristic features of the condition, including Hoffman syndrome. Therefore, the correct answer is Acromegaly.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), there is excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) leading to increased water reabsorption in the kidney tubules. This results in dilutional hyponatremia because the amount of water reabsorbed is greater than the electrolytes, such as sodium, leading to a relative decrease in their concentration in the blood. As a result, hyponatremia occurs in SIADH, contributing to symptoms such as nausea, confusion, and seizures due to the imbalance in electrolytes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Phaeochromocytoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that usually originates from the adrenal glands and produces excess catecholamines. The characteristic symptoms of phaeochromocytoma include paroxysmal (sudden and severe) hypertension, fear of impending death (angor animi), and episodic symptoms like palpitations, headache, and diaphoresis. However, weight gain is not a typical manifestation associated with phaeochromocytoma. In fact, patients with this condition may experience unintentional weight loss due to the effects of excess catecholamines on metabolism and appetite suppression. Therefore, weight gain is not a significant feature observed in individuals with phaeochromocytoma.