The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old patient with a history of type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism. The physician wants to evaluate the patient's blood glucose levels and orders a fructosamine assay. Which factor best explains why the physician chose this test over other blood glucose tests?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Fructosamine measures glycated serum proteins, reflecting glucose control over 2-3 weeks, shorter than the 2-3 months of hemoglobin A1c, making it ideal for recent monitoring, especially in conditions like hypothyroidism that may affect A1c reliability.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Hormones are typically secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands and travel through it to reach their target tissues, making the bloodstream the primary mode of transport.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The Assertion (A) is TRUE because the hypothalamus produces releasing hormones to regulate anterior pituitary hormone secretion. The Reason (R) is TRUE as thyroxine helps regulate body temperature and is secreted by the thyroid near the larynx. However, R does not explain A, as they address different mechanisms.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Adrenaline, secreted by the adrenal medulla, prepares the body for fight-or-flight responses when triggered by the sympathetic nervous system.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Hydrocortisone can cause sodium retention (hypernatremia) and increased glucose (hyperglycemia).