Nokea
A nursing student asks the instructor why the pituitary gland is called the 'master gland.' What is the best response by the instructor?
- A. It regulates the function of other endocrine glands.
- B. It is the gland that is responsible for regulating the hypothalamus.
- C. The gland does not have any other function other than to cause secretion of the growth hormones.
- D. It regulates metabolism.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The pituitary gland is called the master gland because it regulates the function of other endocrine glands through its hormone secretions. However, the hypothalamus influences the pituitary, and the pituitary secretes multiple hormones beyond growth hormone, not just regulating metabolism.
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The nurse should inform the client that oxytocin's function in the body is to do what?
- A. It causes production and secretion of thyroid hormones.
- B. It increases blood calcium by stimulating calcium release from the bone and decreases the blood phosphate level.
- C. It stimulates bone and muscle growth and promotes protein synthesis and fat mobilization.
- D. It stimulates the contraction of the pregnant uterus before birth and stimulates the release of breast milk after childbirth.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Oxytocin, secreted by the posterior pituitary, stimulates uterine contractions during labor and breast milk release postpartum. The other options describe functions of thyroid-stimulating hormone, parathyroid hormone, and somatotropin, respectively.
The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory studies and determines that the client has an elevated calcium level. What does the nurse know will occur as a result of the rise in the serum calcium level?
- A. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of T lymphocytes.
- B. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of erythropoietin.
- C. A rise in serum calcium inhibits the release of calcitonin.
- D. A rise in serum calcium stimulates the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A rise in serum calcium stimulates the thyroid gland to release calcitonin, which inhibits calcium release from bones to lower blood calcium levels and maintain homeostasis.
A group of students is reviewing for a test on hormones. The students demonstrate understanding of the material when they state which of the following as being secreted by the kidneys?
- A. Atrial natriuretic peptide
- B. Estrogen
- C. Renin
- D. Gastrin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys release renin and erythropoietin. Atrial natriuretic peptide is secreted by the atria of the heart, estrogen by the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy, and gastrin by the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid production.
The nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client with a disorder of the thyroid gland. Which diagnostic test will the nurse expect the physician to order to evaluate thyroid hormones?
- A. Magnetic resonance imaging
- B. Radioimmunoassay
- C. Computed tomography (CT)
- D. Cortisol level determination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A radioimmunoassay evaluates thyroid hormone function, specifically T3 and T4 levels. A CT or magnetic resonance imaging scan is used to detect a suspected tumor and to determine organ size and placement. Cortisol levels are used to assess adrenal function, not thyroid function.
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetes who developed hypoglycemia. What can the nurse administer to the client to raise the blood sugar level?
- A. Insulin
- B. Glucagon
- C. Cortisone
- D. Estrogen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Glucagon, secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, raises blood sugar levels by stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver. Insulin lowers blood sugar, while cortisone and estrogen do not directly affect blood glucose levels.