Registered Nurse RN

Registered Nurse, Free Care Plans, Free NCLEX Review, Nurse Salary, and much more. Join the nursing revolution.

Cushing’s Disease/Syndrome NCLEX Questions

Cushing’s is the result of excessive levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. As the nurse you want to be familiar with the pathophysiology of Cushing’s, signs/symptoms, causes, and treatments.

These Cushing’s quiz questions will help prepare you for nursing exams. Don’t forget to watch the Cushing’s lecture before taking the quiz and to access the Cushing’s disease/syndrome notes on this disease process.

cushing's disease, syndrome, questions, quiz, nclex, nursing

Cushing’s Disease/Syndrome NCLEX Questions

1. In Cushing's, the patient will present with ____________ levels of ______________.(Required)
2. The nurse knows that the adrenal glands (cortex) secrete what hormone?(Required)
3. Which of the following is NOT a role of cortisol?(Required)
4. In regard to the negative feedback loop involving the secretion of cortisol, the hypothalamus releases what hormone?(Required)
5. A patient has Cushing's due to excessive chronic usage of corticosteroids. The nurse knows this occurs in Cushing's ______________.(Required)
6. A patient with Cushing's is experiencing a blood pressure of 150/100 mmHg. Why does Cushing's lead to this type of blood pressure reading?(Required)
7. Which signs and symptoms do NOT typically present in Cushing's? Select all that apply:(Required)
8. You are assessing the recent lab work on a patient with uncontrolled Cushing's. Typically, you would expect their sodium level to be _______________ and glucose level to be _______________.(Required)
9. You are helping a patient with Cushing's with diet planning. What information about diet will you include in their education? Select all that apply:(Required)
10. A patient with Cushing's disease due to pituitary tumors typically would have a _____________ ACTH and __________ a cortisol level.(Required)
11. True or False: Cortisol levels are lowest in the morning.(Required)
12. Which medication below is used to treat Cushing's by inhibiting the formation of steroid hormone by affecting the enzymes that play a role in the creation of cortisol?(Required)
13. Which medication below would work to lower a high level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) found in Cushing's?(Required)
14. Your patient is post-op from a bilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of Cushing's. What statement by the patient demonstrates they understood the post-op teaching you have provided them?(Required)

Cushing’s NCLEX Questions

  1. In Cushing’s, the patient will present with __________ levels of _______.
    A. low; aldosterone
    B. high; cortisol
    C. low; cortisol
    D. high; aldosterone

The answer is B: high; cortisol. In Cushing’s, the patient will present with HIGH levels of CORTISOL.

  1. The nurse knows that the adrenal glands (cortex) secrete what hormone?
    A. insulin
    B. adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
    C. cortisol
    D. corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

The answer is C: cortisol. The adrenal glands, particularly the cortex, secrete cortisol.

  1. Which of the following is NOT a role of cortisol?
    A. decreasing blood glucose
    B. regulating blood pressure
    C. anti-inflammatory response
    D. processing fats and proteins

The answer is A: decreasing blood glucose. Cortisol actually INCREASES blood glucose by enhancing a process called gluconeogenesis. This is where the liver uses substances other than carbohydrates to create glucose.

  1. In regard to the negative feedback loop involving the secretion of cortisol, the hypothalamus releases what hormone?
    A. cortisol
    B. adrenocorticotropic hormone
    C. thyroxine
    D. corticotropin-releasing hormone

The answer is D: corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). This hormone is released by the hypothalamus.

  1. A patient has Cushing’s due to excessive chronic usage of corticosteroids. The nurse knows this occurs in Cushing’s __.
    A. disease
    B. syndrome

The answer is B: syndrome. Cushing’s syndrome is typically from a problem with the adrenal glands or chronic usage of corticosteroids. Cushing’s disease is typically due to tumors within the pituitary gland.

  1. A patient with Cushing’s is experiencing a blood pressure of 150/100 mmHg. Why does Cushing’s lead to this type of blood pressure reading?
    A. Low cortisol mimics the function of anti-diuretic hormone, leading to hypernatremia, which increases blood volume.
    B. High cortisol mimics the function of aldosterone leading to hyponatremia, which increases blood volume.
    C. High cortisol mimics the function of aldosterone leading to hypernatremia, which increases blood volume.
    D. Cushing’s does not affect blood pressure, and this blood pressure reading is within normal limits.

The answer is C: High cortisol mimics the function of aldosterone, leading to hypernatremia, which increases blood volume.

  1. Which signs and symptoms do NOT typically present in Cushing’s? Select all that apply:
    A. slow wound healing
    B. truncal obesity
    C. hyponatremia
    D. thin light hair on face/back/chest
    E. hyperglycemia
    F. muscle wasting of extremities
    G. striae on abdomen/back/thighs

The answers are C and D. HYPERnatremia occurs and excessive dark coarse hair can be found on the body such as the face, back, and chest, and on the extremities. This is due to the increased secretion of androgens.

  1. You are assessing the recent lab work on a patient with uncontrolled Cushing’s. Typically, you would expect their sodium level to be _________ and glucose level to be _________.
    A. high (sodium); low (glucose)
    B. high (sodium); high (glucose)
    C. low (sodium); high (glucose)
    D. low (sodium), low (glucose)

The answer is B: high (sodium); high (glucose). Typically, you would expect their sodium level to be HIGH and glucose level to be HIGH.

  1. You are helping a patient with Cushing’s with diet planning. What information about diet will you include in their education? Select all that apply:
    A. high fat and protein diet
    B. low glycemic index foods
    C. high carbohydrates and lean proteins
    D. low sodium foods
    E. vitamin D supplementation
    F. calcium and potassium-rich foods

The answers are B, D, E, and F. Patients with Cushing’s can experience hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, low vitamin d levels, hypernatremia, and hypokalemia. Therefore, diet planning should incorporate the following: low glycemic index foods that are low in sodium but rich in vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.

  1. A patient with Cushing’s disease due to pituitary tumors typically would have a _ ACTH and __ a cortisol level.
    A. high (ACTH); low (cortisol)
    B. high (ACTH); high (cortisol)
    C. low (ACTH); low (cortisol)
    D. low (ACTH); high (cortisol)

The answer is B: high (ACTH); high (cortisol). This occurs because the pituitary gland (anterior) releases ACTH, which would be released in excessive amounts, if tumors were present. This leads to high levels of cortisol as well.

  1. True or False: Cortisol levels are lowest in the morning.
    True
    False

The answer is FALSE. Cortisol levels are HIGHEST in the morning. They are lowest at night (around midnight).

  1. Which medication below is used to treat Cushing’s by inhibiting the formation of steroid hormone by affecting the enzymes that play a role in the creation of cortisol?
    A. Prednisone
    B. Mifepristone
    C. Pasireotide
    D. Metyrapone

The answer is D: Metyrapone. This is known as a steroidogenesis inhibitor.

  1. Which medication below would work to lower a high level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) found in Cushing’s?
    A. Pasireotide
    B. Etomidate
    C. Ketoconazole
    D. Mifepristone

The answer is A: Pasireotide. This medication is an ACTH inhibitor, which works to lower ACTH levels in Cushing’s disease.

  1. Your patient is post-op from a bilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of Cushing’s. What statement by the patient demonstrates they understood the post-op teaching you have provided them?
    A. “I no longer need to take any medications since my adrenal glands are removed.”
    B. “Once I feel normal I can stop taking the prescribed hormone replacement therapy.”
    C. “I will need to take hormone replacement therapy for a few months until my body adjusts to not having adrenal glands.”
    D. “I will need to continue hormone replacement therapy for life.”

The answer is D: “I will need to continue hormone replacement therapy for life.” If both adrenal glands are removed (as in this scenario), the patient will need to take hormone replacement medications for life. However, if this was unilateral (only one removed) hormone replacement would be temporary until the remaining adrenal gland’s function returned to normal.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this quiz by linking to it on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. You can also take more fun nursing quizzes.

*Disclaimer: While we do our best to provide students with accurate and in-depth study quizzes, this quiz/test is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please refer to the latest NCLEX review books for the latest updates in nursing. This quiz is copyright RegisteredNurseRn.com. Please do not copy this quiz directly; however, please feel free to share a link to this page with students, friends, and others.

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols. We strive for 100% accuracy, but nursing procedures and state laws are constantly changing. By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. See our full disclosure and privacy policy.

Copyright Notice

All images, articles, text, videos, and other content found on this website are protected by copyright law and are the intellectual property of RegisteredNurseRN.com or their respective owners.