A patient complains of polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. What is the fourth cardinal symptom of diabetes?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Weight loss. The fourth cardinal symptom of diabetes, in addition to polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia, is weight loss. This weight loss occurs due to the body's inability to properly utilize glucose for energy, leading to the breakdown of fats and proteins for energy production. Option A) Impaired vision is a common complication of diabetes but is not one of the cardinal symptoms used to diagnose the condition. Option C) Confused thought processes may occur in severe cases of uncontrolled diabetes but are not one of the cardinal symptoms. Option D) Fat intolerance is not a cardinal symptom of diabetes and is not directly related to the characteristic symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and weight loss. Educationally, understanding the cardinal symptoms of diabetes is crucial for healthcare professionals to recognize and diagnose the condition promptly. By knowing these key symptoms, healthcare providers can initiate timely interventions and prevent complications associated with uncontrolled diabetes. This question reinforces the importance of recognizing the cardinal symptoms of diabetes and their significance in clinical practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A) To prevent adrenal crisis. In Cushing syndrome, the body has been exposed to high levels of cortisol for a prolonged period, leading to suppression of the adrenal glands' natural cortisol production. If corticosteroid treatment is suddenly discontinued, the suppressed adrenal glands may not be able to produce enough cortisol to meet the body's needs, resulting in an adrenal crisis. Symptoms of adrenal crisis include severe fatigue, dehydration, low blood pressure, and even death if not treated promptly. Option B) To increase potassium retention is incorrect because corticosteroids actually promote potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia rather than increased retention. Option C) To reduce sodium retention is incorrect because corticosteroids typically promote sodium retention, leading to fluid retention and hypertension. Option D) To avoid an overdose of the medication is incorrect because the risk of an overdose is not related to the need for gradual tapering of corticosteroid treatment in Cushing syndrome. In an educational context, understanding the importance of gradual tapering of corticosteroid treatment in conditions like Cushing syndrome is crucial for healthcare providers to prevent potentially life-threatening complications such as adrenal crisis. Patients need to be well-informed about the risks associated with abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroids to ensure they adhere to the prescribed treatment plan and seek medical guidance before making any changes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In hyperparathyroidism, the parathyroid glands produce excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to increased calcium levels and decreased phosphate levels in the blood. Option B, "Increased calcium and decreased phosphate," is the correct answer because it reflects the characteristic laboratory findings in hyperparathyroidism. Option A, "Decreased WBC and increased alkaline phosphatase," is incorrect as these are not typical findings in hyperparathyroidism. Alkaline phosphatase levels might be increased, but WBC count is generally not affected by this endocrine disorder. Option C, "Decreased PTH and increased magnesium," is also incorrect because in hyperparathyroidism, PTH levels are typically elevated, not decreased. Increased magnesium levels are not typically associated with this disorder. Option D, "Increased PTH and decreased calcium," is incorrect because hyperparathyroidism is characterized by increased PTH levels and increased calcium levels in the blood. Educationally, understanding the typical laboratory findings in hyperparathyroidism is crucial for healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose and manage this endocrine disorder. This knowledge helps in interpreting lab results, making treatment decisions, and providing appropriate patient education regarding their condition.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this question, the correct answer is D) Growth hormone-releasing hormone. This hormone is controlled by another hypothalamic hormone, somatostatin, which inhibits its release. Growth hormone-releasing hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release growth hormone. Option A, Thyroid-stimulating hormone, is not a hypothalamic hormone but a pituitary hormone that is regulated by the hypothalamic hormone thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Option B, Corticotropin-releasing hormone, stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the pituitary and is not controlled by another hypothalamic hormone. Option C, Follicle-stimulating hormone, is also not a hypothalamic hormone but a pituitary hormone controlled by gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus. Educationally, understanding the interplay between different hormones in the endocrine system is crucial for healthcare professionals to comprehend the regulation and functions of various hormones. Knowing how hypothalamic hormones control the release of pituitary hormones is fundamental in diagnosing and treating endocrine disorders.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is option C) A 58-year-old patient with hypothyroidism and a heart rate of 48/minute. This patient should be assessed first because a heart rate of 48/minute is significantly outside the normal range (60-100 beats per minute) and may indicate bradycardia, which can be a life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention. Option A) A 38-year-old patient with Graves' disease and a heart rate of 94/minute may have tachycardia, which is common in Graves' disease but is not as critical as bradycardia. Option B) A 63-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes and a fingerstick glucose of 137 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not require immediate attention. Option D) A 49-year-old patient with Cushing's disease and +1 dependent edema is concerning for fluid retention but does not present an immediate threat to the patient's life. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of recognizing abnormal vital signs and prioritizing patient assessments based on the urgency of the situation. Understanding the significance of vital sign abnormalities in different endocrine disorders is crucial for providing safe and effective patient care.