Endocrinology Exam Questions and Answers

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Neuropathic pain due to diabetes can present with a variety of symptoms, including burning pain, electric shock quality, and tingling sensation. These symptoms are commonly reported by individuals with diabetic neuropathy, which is the most common form of neuropathic pain associated with diabetes. The combination of these sensations can significantly impact the quality of life for those living with diabetes and neuropathic pain. Therefore, all of the above options are consistent with neuropathic pain due to diabetes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The adrenal cortex is the outer region of the adrenal glands and is responsible for producing several hormones, including aldosterone. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating electrolyte balance, particularly sodium and potassium, in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and fluid balance by acting on the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water while excreting potassium in the urine. Adrenaline and noradrenaline (also known as epinephrine and norepinephrine) are produced by the adrenal medulla, which is the inner region of the adrenal glands. Cortisol is another hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, but aldosterone specifically regulates electrolyte balance.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The triad of hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood), haemodilution (increased plasma volume), and urine hypertonic to plasma (high urine osmolality compared to blood osmolality) is characteristic of Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH). In SIADH, there is excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, leading to water retention by the kidneys and dilutional hyponatremia. This condition results in the body holding onto water, causing hyponatremia and dilution of the blood. The urine being hypertonic compared to plasma indicates that the kidneys are reabsorbing water effectively and concentrating the urine.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Blood calcium levels are primarily regulated by the actions of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium balance in the body by promoting the absorption of calcium from the intestines. When blood calcium levels are low, Vitamin D works to increase absorption of calcium to raise the levels back to normal. Therefore, elevated blood calcium levels are commonly associated with excess Vitamin D intake or conditions that increase Vitamin D levels, such as hypervitaminosis D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most common cause of Cushing's disease is an ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma. In this condition, the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce high levels of cortisol. This leads to the signs and symptoms of Cushing's disease, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness. Adrenocortical adenoma refers to a benign tumor of the adrenal cortex that can also cause Cushing's syndrome, but it is not as common as an ACTH-producing pituitary adenoma. Ectopic ACTH secretion occurs when a non-pituitary tumor produces ACTH, leading to Cushing's syndrome. McCune-Albright syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can cause various endocrine abnormalities, but it is not a common cause of Cushing's disease.