Mechanisms of Endocrine Control

Which gland acts as a signal relaying bridge between multiple body systems and the pituitary gland?

hypothalamus

A client experiences an increase in thyroid hormone as a result of a thyroid tumor. Which hormonal response demonstrates the negative feedback mechanism?

decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

The hypophysis is a unit formed by the pituitary and the hypothalamus. These two glands are connected by the blood flow in what system?

Hypophyseal portal system

Which manifestation would a nurse expect when assessing a child with insufficient growth hormone (GH) secretion?

Rank below 10% on the growth chart

To prevent the accumulation of hormones in our bodies, the hormones are constantly being metabolized and excreted. Where are adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones excreted?

bile and urine

Which hormone is produced by the anterior pituitary gland?

growth hormone

What is the most common mechanism of hormone control?

negative feedback

A client with a history of brain tumors that resulted in partial removal of the pituitary gland years ago expresses concern to the health care provider about whether she will be able to breast-feed her infant. Which physiologic function of the pituitary gland facilitates breast milk production?

prolactin

Several hormones, including growth hormone (GH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), are bound to and carried by which substance?

proteins

Hormones are chemical messengers that provide which function in the body?

regulate body fuctions

Which hormone is secreted based on a cyclic rather than a diurnal manner?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Which statement best explains the function of hormone receptors?

Hormone receptors recognize a specific hormone and translate the hormonal signal into a cellular response.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) performs which role in the functioning of the endocrine system?

Acting as a second messenger to mediate hormone action on target cells

After having a very stressful day in pathophysiology class, the student knows that which hormone (secreted by the adrenal cortex) will help decrease the effects of stress?

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid

A nurse examines the laboratory values of a client in heart failure. Which value indicates a compensatory hormone mechanism?

Elevated atrial natriuretic hormone

Which manifestation would the nurse observe when assessing a client diagnosed with a benign secreting tumor of the adrenal medulla?

Elevated catecholamine levels and tachycardia

While discussing the regulation of hormone levels, the instructor gives an example of hormones regulated by feedback mechanisms. Which example of this regulation is best?

Following a meal that was high in carbohydrates, a person's blood glucose elevates, which stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas.

When hypofunction of an endocrine organ is suspected, which type of diagnostic test can be administered to measure and assess target gland response?

Hormone stimulation

A 51-year-old woman has been experiencing signs and symptoms of perimenopause and has sought help from her family physician. A deficiency in estrogen levels has been determined to be a contributing factor. Which phenomenon could potentially underlie the woman's health problem?

Insufficient estrogen production within the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the relevant cells.

A teen with newly diagnosed pituitary dwarfism asks the nurse why growth hormone must be taken as an injection rather than a pill like the steroids used for arthritis. Which response best answers the client's question?

Peptide proteins will be digested instead of entering the bloodstream.

As part of maintaining homeostasis, why are hormones, secreted by endocrine cells, continuously inactivated?

Prevent accumulation

Which type of characteristic do thyroid and steroid hormones exert on target cells by way of nuclear receptors?

The ability to cross the cell membrane of target cells

When describing to a client newly diagnosed with diabetes how insulin is regulated, the nurse will draw upon her knowledge of which hormonal regulation mechanism?

The hypothalamic-pituitary-target cell system

Which statement best captures the relationship between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland as it relates to endocrine function?

The hypothalamus receives input from numerous sources throughout the body and directs the pituitary to then control many target glands and cells.

A client with a new diagnosis of an endocrine disorder is unclear how the body can control the levels of different hormones over time. Which statement most accurately underlies the dominant regulation process of hormone levels in the body?

With input from various sensors, hormone production and release are adjusted based on existing hormone levels.

The nurse is caring for a client with a hormonal disorder that is widely affecting many body systems. The nurse recognizes that which form of hormone signalling pathway is most likely involved in the client's disorder?

endocrine

The endocrine system is closely linked with the nervous system. Which neurotransmitter can also act as a hormone?

epinephrine

A 21-year-old female is suspected of having inadequate function of her hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system. Her care provider is planning to inject thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and then measure her levels of TSH. Which diagnostic test is being performed?

stimulation test

Which events are involved in the negative feedback mechanism that keeps the serum thyroid hormone level within appropriate range? Select all that apply.

Stimulation of sensors in the hypothalamus Stimulation of sensors in the anterior pituitary gland Decrease in secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Increased levels of thyroid hormone

A middle-aged female client has been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. The nurse educates the client about the prescription and needed follow-up lab work, which will help regulate the dosage. The client asks, "Why do I not return to the clinic for weeks, since I am starting the medication tomorrow morning?" The nurse bases the answer on the knowledge that thyroid hormones:

may take days for the full effect to occur, based on the mechanism of action.

A client is admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and is prescribed a higher total daily dose of insulin than normally taken. What contributes to the need for increased insulin dosing during DKA?

A lower pH of the body fluids (ketoacidosis) increases insulin resistance.

Which structure controls the functions of the greatest number of target glands and cells?

Pituitary gland

When hormones act locally rather than being secreted into the bloodstream, their actions are termed:

Autocrine and paracrine

When caring for a client who is being screened for osteoporosis, the nurse plans to evaluate the results of which diagnostic test?

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

The nurse is discussing positive feedback mechanisms. Which example best explains this mechanism?

Increased estradiol production causes increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production.