Question 1

Which of the following is a primary effect of cortisol on metabolism?

Accepted Answer

It promotes gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Question 2

A patient presents with consistently high levels of cortisol. Which of the following is a likely health complication?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis

Question 3

Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating bone growth during childhood and adolescence?

Accepted Answer

Growth hormone

Question 4

What are the three compartments in the body where calcium is found, and which contains the highest percentage?

Accepted Answer

Bone, extracellular fluid, intracellular fluid; bone contains the most

Question 5

Which of the following is a risk factor for osteoporosis?

Accepted Answer

Low dietary calcium intake

Question 6

A patient with primary hypercortisolism would most likely have which of the following laboratory findings?

Accepted Answer

Low ACTH, high cortisol

Question 7

Which hormone increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity?

Accepted Answer

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Question 8

Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the systemic circuit?

Accepted Answer

Aorta

Question 9

What is the main difference between autorhythmic and contractile cells of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Autorhythmic cells generate action potentials spontaneously; contractile cells require stimulation.

Question 10

During the cardiac action potential, what is the function of the plateau phase?

Accepted Answer

It prevents tetanus by prolonging the refractory period.

Question 11

Which ion is primarily responsible for the depolarization phase in autorhythmic cardiac cells?

Accepted Answer

Calcium ($$Ca^{2+})$$

Question 12

A patient’s EKG shows an absent P wave and an irregularly irregular rhythm. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the pathway of electrical conduction through the heart?

Accepted Answer

SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers

Question 14

Which part of the EKG corresponds to ventricular depolarization?

Accepted Answer

QRS complex

Question 15

How does parasympathetic stimulation decrease heart rate?

Accepted Answer

By increasing $$K^+$$ permeability in pacemaker cells

Question 16

A patient with reduced growth hormone levels is likely to experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Dwarfism

Question 17

Which hormone is secreted in response to high blood calcium levels and acts to lower calcium?

Accepted Answer

Calcitonin

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of myocardial contractile cell action potentials compared to skeletal muscle?

Accepted Answer

Presence of a plateau phase due to $$Ca^{2+}$$ influx

Question 19

A patient with secondary hypercortisolism would most likely have which of the following findings?

Accepted Answer

High ACTH, high cortisol

Question 20

Which equation best represents the calculation of cardiac output?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = HR 	imes SV$$

Study Guide: Endocrine Control of Growth, Metabolism, and Cardiac Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions