Physician Assistant Endocrine System Disorders

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Levothyroxine

Answer

Primary hypothyroidism is treated with levothyroxine (synthetic T4) to replace the deficient thyroid hormone.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Answer

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient countries.

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Graves' disease

Answer

Graves' disease is an autoimmune hyperthyroid condition, and exophthalmos (Graves' ophthalmopathy) is pathognomonic for this diagnosis.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Answer

Loss of protective sensation on monofilament testing is the hallmark of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a microvascular complication of diabetes.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Answer

DKA presents with hyperglycemia, anion gap metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath due to ketone production.

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Practice Test

Physician Assistant Endocrine System Disorders