Endocrine System Disorders Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Endocrine System Disorders flashcards as text
A 50-year-old woman presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry skin. TSH is 9.2 mIU/L and free T4 is low. What is the first-line treatment?
Answer: Levothyroxine
Primary hypothyroidism is treated with levothyroxine (synthetic T4) to replace the deficient thyroid hormone.
Which of the following is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in the United States?
Answer: Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient countries.
A 28-year-old woman presents with palpitations, heat intolerance, weight loss, and exophthalmos. TSH is undetectable and free T4 is elevated. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Graves' disease
Graves' disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroid condition, and exophthalmos (Graves' ophthalmopathy) is pathognomonic for this diagnosis.
A 55-year-old man with Type 2 DM presents with a foot ulcer and no sensation on 10-gram monofilament testing. Which diabetic complication does this represent?
Answer: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Loss of protective sensation on monofilament testing is the hallmark of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a microvascular complication of diabetes.
A patient with Type 1 DM presents with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath odor. Blood glucose is 380 mg/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis
DKA presents with hyperglycemia, anion gap metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath due to ketone production.
Which of the following is the most important initial intervention in the management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Answer: IV fluid resuscitation with normal saline
IV fluid resuscitation is the most critical initial step in DKA to correct severe dehydration before initiating insulin therapy.
A patient with Type 2 DM on metformin develops lactic acidosis after a hospitalization for cardiac catheterization with contrast. Which medication is most likely responsible?
Answer: Metformin
Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, especially when combined with IV contrast, renal impairment, or hypoxic states; it should be held before contrast procedures.