Pituitary Disorders: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Question 1

Which pituitary hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating growth and development in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Prolactin

Question 2

Which of the following conditions is characterized by excessive growth hormone secretion in adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Acromegaly

Answer

Gigantism

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 3

Which non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique is commonly utilized to visualize and assess the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computerized tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

Angiography

Question 4

Which pituitary hormone is responsible for stimulating lactation in women who have recently given birth?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 5

The posterior pituitary primarily performs which essential function?

Accepted Answer

Stores and releases hormones in response to hypothalamic signals

Answer

Synthesizes and releases hormones directly

Answer

Controls the secretion of hormones by the anterior pituitary

Answer

Monitors hormone levels and adjusts hormone secretion accordingly

Question 6

Panhypopituitarism, characterized by the deficiency of multiple pituitary hormones, mainly arises from:

Accepted Answer

Inadequate secretion of numerous pituitary hormones

Answer

Decreased thyroid hormone production

Answer

Elevated cortisol levels

Answer

Altered growth hormone secretion only

Question 7

In treating growth hormone deficiency, which medication is typically employed?

Accepted Answer

Somatropin

Answer

Desmopressin

Answer

Levothyroxine

Answer

Hydrocortisone

Question 8

For the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, the most reliable and widely used diagnostic test is the:

Accepted Answer

Cortisol suppression test

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test

Answer

Computed tomography scan of the pituitary

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging of the sella turcica

Question 9

Infertility is commonly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Prolactinoma

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Osteoporosis

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 10

For a patient with hypernatremia stemming from pituitary dysfunction, the primary nursing intervention involves:

Accepted Answer

Liberal fluid intake encouragement

Answer

Restriction of fluid intake

Answer

Administration of intravenous fluids

Answer

Hourly monitoring of electrolytes

Question 11

In managing acromegaly, the initial treatment of choice is typically:

Accepted Answer

Transsphenoidal surgery

Answer

Radiation therapy

Answer

Pharmacological therapy

Answer

Lifestyle modifications alone

Question 12

In the evaluation of pituitary disorders, which advanced imaging technique is primarily employed to assess the gland's size, shape, and structure?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Computed Tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Ultrasonography

Question 13

Which of the following is the most common pituitary adenoma in adults?

Accepted Answer

Prolactinoma

Answer

Acromegaly

Answer

Cushing's disease

Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting adenoma

Question 14

What is the primary cause of hyperprolactinemia?

Accepted Answer

Prolactinoma

Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Dopamine receptor blockade

Answer

Stress

Question 15

Which of the following diagnostic tests is NOT typically used in the evaluation of pituitary disorders?

Accepted Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Hormonal assays

Answer

Visual field testing

Question 16

What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for acromegaly?

Accepted Answer

Somatostatin analogs

Answer

Dopamine agonists

Answer

Glucocorticoids

Answer

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs

Question 17

What is the primary mechanism of action of somatostatin analogs in the treatment of pituitary disorders?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of hormone secretion

Answer

Stimulation of hormone secretion

Answer

Alteration of hormone metabolism

Answer

Replacement of deficient hormones

Question 18

Which hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary and stimulates thyroid hormone production?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 19

What is the most common cause of acromegaly?

Accepted Answer

Pituitary adenoma producing excess growth hormone

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Cushing's syndrome

Answer

Diabetes insipidus

Question 20

Deficiency of which hormone leads to impaired water reabsorption in the kidneys?

Accepted Answer

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer

Aldosterone

Answer

Growth hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 21

Which signs and symptoms are commonly associated with Cushing's disease?

Accepted Answer

Obesity, hypertension, diabetes

Answer

Headaches, vision changes, nausea

Answer

Polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss

Answer

Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Question 22

Which medication is typically used to treat hyperthyroidism?

Accepted Answer

Methimazole

Answer

Levothyroxine

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cortisone

Question 23

What is the primary mechanism of action of dopamine agonists in prolactinomas?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits prolactin secretion

Answer

Stimulates prolactin secretion

Answer

Blocks thyroid hormone synthesis

Answer

Promotes water reabsorption

Question 24

What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient with diabetes insipidus secondary to pituitary dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Monitor fluid intake and output

Answer

Administer insulin

Answer

Give antiemetics

Answer

Restrict sodium intake

Question 25

Which hormone is crucial for regulating blood glucose levels?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone

Answer

Thyroid hormone

Question 26

What is the key difference between panhypopituitarism and isolated hormone deficiencies?

Accepted Answer

Panhypopituitarism affects multiple hormones, while isolated hormone deficiencies affect only one

Answer

Isolated hormone deficiencies affect multiple hormones, while panhypopituitarism affects only one

Answer

There is no difference between the two

Answer

They are both caused by pituitary tumors

Question 27

Which of the following is a hallmark clinical manifestation of hypopituitarism?

Accepted Answer

Cold intolerance and fatigue

Answer

Excessive body hair growth

Answer

Hypertension and tachycardia

Answer

Increased appetite and weight gain

Question 28

Which diagnostic test is typically employed to assess a patient with a suspected pituitary adenoma?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Lumbar puncture

Answer

X-ray of the skull

Question 29

What is the primary mechanism by which growth hormone replacement therapy exerts its therapeutic effects?

Accepted Answer

Stimulating protein synthesis and growth

Answer

Inhibiting insulin production

Answer

Suppressing prolactin secretion

Answer

Promoting thyroid hormone synthesis

Question 30

What is the underlying pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the manifestations of Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Elevated cortisol production

Answer

Excessive secretion of prolactin

Answer

Adrenal insufficiency

Answer

Pituitary tumor compression

Question 31

Which type of pituitary tumor is most frequently encountered in clinical practice?

Accepted Answer

Prolactinoma

Answer

Acromegaly

Answer

Cushing's disease

Answer

Gonadotropinoma

Question 32

What is the characteristic personality profile associated with Cushing's syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Euphoric and outgoing

Answer

Withdrawn and depressed

Answer

Anxious and irritable

Answer

Compulsive and aggressive

Question 33

Which pituitary gland division synthesizes and secretes hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, and reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Anterior pituitary

Answer

Posterior pituitary

Question 34

Which of the following is the most prevalent cause of hypopituitarism?

Accepted Answer

Pituitary adenoma

Answer

Infection

Answer

Immune system dysfunction

Answer

Head injury

Question 35

Which of the following symptoms is generally not associated with acromegaly?

Accepted Answer

Weight loss

Answer

Enlarged extremities

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Vision problems

Question 36

Which hormone, produced by the anterior pituitary, stimulates thyroid gland development and function?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer

Growth hormone (GH)

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 37

Which advanced imaging technique is typically employed to visualize and diagnose a pituitary adenoma?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

X-ray

Question 38

What is the underlying cause of diabetes insipidus?

Accepted Answer

Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer

Deficiency of growth hormone

Answer

Deficiency of thyroid hormone

Answer

Deficiency of insulin

Question 39

Among the potential complications of pituitary surgery, which one is of particular concern?

Accepted Answer

Hypopituitarism

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Hyperparathyroidism

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Question 40

Which hormone, secreted by the anterior pituitary, is responsible for stimulating milk production?

Accepted Answer

Prolactin

Answer

ADH

Answer

FSH

Answer

TSH

Question 41

Which type of pituitary tumor is commonly associated with galactorrhea and amenorrhea?

Accepted Answer

Prolactinoma

Answer

Growth hormone-secreting tumor

Answer

ACTH-secreting tumor

Answer

TSH-secreting tumor

Question 42

In the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency, which laboratory test is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)

Answer

TSH

Answer

Prolactin

Answer

ACTH