Nutrition and Lifestyle in Endocrine Disease Practice Questions
28 free Nutrition and Lifestyle in Endocrine Disease practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which type of hormones are most likely to bind to intracellular receptors?
- A Peptide hormones
- B Steroid hormones
- C Catecholamine hormones
- D Insulin
Correct answer: Steroid hormones
Steroid hormones are lipophilic and can cross cell membranes to bind intracellular receptors.
In a client with a tumour of the posterior pituitary leading to excessive ADH release, what is the most likely clinical finding?
- A Polyuria and polydipsia
- B Hyponatremia and low urine output
- C Hypernatremia and high urine output
- D Hypoglycemia and dehydration
Correct answer: Hyponatremia and low urine output
Excess ADH leads to water retention, diluting serum sodium (hyponatremia) and concentrated urine with low volume.
In the feedback regulation of hormone secretion, what does a 'negative feedback' mechanism mean?
- A A hormone stimulates more of its own production
- B A hormone suppresses release of the upstream hormone once levels are sufficient
- C Hormone levels keep rising in response to stimulation
- D Hormones are unaffected by their target organ output
Correct answer: A hormone suppresses release of the upstream hormone once levels are sufficient
Negative feedback means that hormones suppress the release of the hormone upstream when levels are sufficient.
What is the most likely outcome of a patient with untreated hyperthyroidism?
- A Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance
- B Heat intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss
- C Hypoglycemia, decreased appetite, and lethargy
- D Hair loss with a decreased metabolic rate only
Correct answer: Heat intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss
Hyperthyroidism leads to elevated metabolic rate causing heat intolerance, rapid heart rate, and weight loss.
What is the key monitoring priority in a patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
- A High urine output with resulting hypernatremia
- B Hyponatremia, low urine output, and signs of fluid overload
- C Hypokalemia with tachycardia and palpitations
- D Dehydration with persistently high sodium levels
Correct answer: Hyponatremia, low urine output, and signs of fluid overload
SIADH causes water retention leading to dilutional hyponatremia and low urine output, necessitating monitoring for fluid overload.
What complication should the nurse assess for immediately after a thyroidectomy?
- A Hypercalcemia developing over several days
- B Airway obstruction, neck hematoma, and hypocalcemia from parathyroid injury
- C Sustained hypertension with reflex tachycardia
- D Deep vein thrombosis from prolonged immobility
Correct answer: Airway obstruction, neck hematoma, and hypocalcemia from parathyroid injury
Immediate post-thyroidectomy complications include airway obstruction, bleeding/hematoma in the neck, and hypocalcemia from parathyroid damage.
What is the most typical electrolyte imbalance in adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)?
- A Hypernatremia and hypokalemia
- B Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
- C Hypercalcemia only
- D Hypomagnesemia only
Correct answer: Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia
Aldosterone deficiency in Addison's disease leads to hyponatremia and hyperkalemia as typical electrolyte imbalances.
When is the greatest benefit:risk ratio for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) initiated in menopause?
- A Only after a woman has reached age 70
- B Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
- C Only once osteoporosis has already developed
- D Only when severe vasomotor symptoms are absent
Correct answer: Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
HRT has the best benefit:risk ratio when initiated within 10 years of menopause or before age 60.
Which type of hormones are most likely to bind to intracellular receptors instead of cell-surface receptors?
- A Peptide hormones
- B Steroid hormones
- C Catecholamine hormones
- D Insulin
Correct answer: Steroid hormones
Steroid hormones are lipophilic and can cross cell membranes to bind intracellular receptors, whereas peptide and catecholamine hormones bind cell-surface receptors.
What is the most likely clinical finding in a client with a tumour of the posterior pituitary leading to excessive antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release?
- A Polyuria and polydipsia
- B Hyponatremia and low urine output
- C Hypernatremia and high urine output
- D Hypoglycemia and dehydration
Correct answer: Hyponatremia and low urine output
Excess ADH causes water retention, diluting serum sodium (hyponatremia) and leading to concentrated urine with low volume.
What are the age-related endocrine changes that may occur in older adults?
- A Increased thyroid hormone output with each decade
- B Reduced antidiuretic hormone, raising dehydration risk
- C Increased growth hormone secretion with age
- D Enhanced insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues
Correct answer: Reduced antidiuretic hormone, raising dehydration risk
In aging, many endocrine glands produce less hormone; reduced ADH leads to risk of dehydration due to less capacity to conserve water.
In a patient with elevated TSH and low free T4, what condition are these findings most consistent with?
- A Primary hypothyroidism
- B Secondary hypothyroidism
- C Primary hyperthyroidism
- D Euthyroid state
Correct answer: Primary hypothyroidism
In primary hypothyroidism the thyroid cannot produce enough T4, so T4 is low and the pituitary increases TSH to compensate.
What does a 'negative feedback' mechanism in hormone secretion mean?
- A A hormone stimulates more of its own production
- B A hormone suppresses release of the upstream hormone once levels are sufficient
- C Hormone levels keep rising in response to stimulation
- D Hormones are unaffected by their target organ output
Correct answer: A hormone suppresses release of the upstream hormone once levels are sufficient
Negative feedback means that when hormone levels are high enough, they signal to upstream glands to reduce further release, maintaining homeostasis.
What is a patient with untreated hyperthyroidism at risk for?
- A Weight gain, bradycardia, and cold intolerance
- B Heat intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss
- C Hypoglycemia, decreased appetite, and lethargy
- D Hair loss with a decreased metabolic rate only
Correct answer: Heat intolerance, tachycardia, and weight loss
Hyperthyroidism results in elevated metabolic rate causing heat intolerance, rapid heart rate and weight loss.
How are the endocrine and nervous systems similar?
- A They rely solely on electrical impulses
- B They act independently of homeostatic control
- C Both use chemical messengers to regulate function
- D They operate only within the central nervous system
Correct answer: Both use chemical messengers to regulate function
Both systems use chemical messengers (hormones or neurotransmitters) to regulate body activities and maintain internal balance.
A client on high-dose exogenous corticosteroids is at risk for which endocrine disorder?
- A Addison’s disease
- B Cushing’s syndrome (iatrogenic)
- C Primary hypothyroidism
- D Diabetes insipidus
Correct answer: Cushing’s syndrome (iatrogenic)
Long-term corticosteroid use can lead to iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, with excess cortisol effects.
In a patient with hypoglycemia from insulin overdose, which autonomic sign would likely appear first?
- A Bradycardia and coma
- B Sweating, tremors, palpitations
- C Polyuria and thirst
- D Skin rash and hives
Correct answer: Sweating, tremors, palpitations
Hypoglycemia triggers a sympathetic (adrenergic) response causing sweating, tremor and palpitations before more severe neuroglycopenic symptoms develop.
What is correct about growth hormone deficiency in adulthood?
- A It invariably causes gigantism in affected adults
- B It reduces muscle strength and raises fat mass
- C It has no measurable effect on adult metabolism
- D It is a condition that never develops in adults
Correct answer: It reduces muscle strength and raises fat mass
Adult growth hormone deficiency can lead to changes in body composition (less muscle, more fat), lower bone density and decreased well-being.
What is the most appropriate instruction for a client taking levothyroxine (thyroid hormone replacement)?
- A Take it together with the largest meal of the day
- B Take it each morning on an empty stomach
- C Stop taking the dose whenever you feel better
- D Take it only on days when you feel cold
Correct answer: Take it each morning on an empty stomach
Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach at a consistent time each day to maintain stable hormone levels.
What lab findings would the nurse anticipate in a client with primary hyperparathyroidism?
- A Low calcium, high phosphate, high PTH
- B High calcium, low phosphate, high PTH
- C High phosphate, low calcium, low PTH
- D Normal calcium, normal phosphate, high PTH only
Correct answer: High calcium, low phosphate, high PTH
Excess PTH secretion causes hypercalcemia (↑ Ca) and increased phosphate excretion leading to low phosphate.
What is the key nursing monitoring priority in a patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
- A Sustained high urine output with hypernatremia
- B Hyponatremia, low urine output, and fluid overload
- C Isolated hypokalemia with persistent tachycardia
- D Marked dehydration with elevated serum sodium
Correct answer: Hyponatremia, low urine output, and fluid overload
SIADH causes water retention leading to dilutional hyponatremia and low urine output; monitoring for confusion, seizures and fluid overload is essential.
What is a common presentation of a patient with diabetes insipidus (DI)?
- A Concentrated urine, edema, hyponatremia
- B Large volumes of dilute urine and polydipsia
- C Hypoglycemia and dehydration
- D Hyperkalemia and oliguria
Correct answer: Large volumes of dilute urine and polydipsia
DI (either central or nephrogenic) causes inability to concentrate urine, producing large volumes of dilute urine and increased thirst.
After a thyroidectomy, what post-operative complication should the nurse assess for immediately?
- A Isolated hypercalcemia without other findings
- B Airway obstruction, neck hematoma, and hypocalcemia
- C Sudden hypertension with marked tachycardia only
- D Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities
Correct answer: Airway obstruction, neck hematoma, and hypocalcemia
Thyroid surgery carries risks of neck bleeding/hematoma (which can compress airway) and inadvertent parathyroid removal leading to hypocalcemia.
How do endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands?
- A Release hormones straight into the circulating blood
- B Secrete their products through ducts to surfaces
- C Produce only digestive enzymes for the gut
- D Function with no role in maintaining homeostasis
Correct answer: Release hormones straight into the circulating blood
Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream to reach distant target organs; exocrine glands use ducts to secrete into body cavities or external surfaces.
What sign should alert the nurse to possible thyroid storm in a client on antithyroid therapy for hyperthyroidism?
- A Mild fatigue with otherwise stable vital signs
- B High fever, severe tachycardia, agitation, hypotension
- C Gradual weight gain accompanied by bradycardia
- D Cold intolerance with persistent constipation only
Correct answer: High fever, severe tachycardia, agitation, hypotension
Thyroid storm is an extreme hyperthyroid state with fever, tachycardia, agitation and hemodynamic instability and requires emergency treatment.
In adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease), which electrolyte imbalance is most typical?
- A It should only be started after age 70
- B Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
- C Only once osteoporosis has clearly developed
- D When severe vasomotor symptoms are already absent
Correct answer: Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
With aldosterone deficiency, sodium retention fails (leading to hyponatremia) and potassium excretion is reduced (leading to hyperkalemia).
When is the greatest benefit:risk ratio for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopausal women?
- A Only after age 70
- B Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
- C Only when osteoporosis has developed
- D When severe vasomotor symptoms are absent
Correct answer: Within 10 years of menopause or before age 60
Guidelines indicate hormone therapy initiated within 10 years of menopause or under age 60 has more favourable benefit:risk profile compared with later initiation.
What is accurate regarding insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome?
- A Insulin resistance means the pancreas makes no insulin at all
- B Weight loss and exercise improve insulin sensitivity over time
- C Metabolic syndrome carries no impact on cardiovascular risk
- D Insulin resistance affects only glucose, not lipids or pressure
Correct answer: Weight loss and exercise improve insulin sensitivity over time
Insulin resistance means cells respond poorly to insulin despite production; lifestyle modifications are foundational in improving sensitivity and reducing metabolic/cardiovascular risk.