Question

Which of the following hormonal imbalances is incorrectly paired with its related signs or symptoms?

a. ADH deficiency - Diabetes insipidus; excessive output of dilute urine
b. Insufficienct glucocorticoids - Addison's disease; chronic fatigue/weakness, darkening of skin, temperature sensitivity
c. Excessive aldosterone - low blood pressure; Cushing's disease
d. Excess PTH - demineralization of bones, high serum calcium
e. Excess growth hormone - giantism; acromegaly; elevated serum glucose and insulin (diabetogenic effect)

Answer 1

The hormonal imbalance incorrectly paired with its symptoms is Excessive aldosterone - low blood pressure; Cushing's disease. Excessive aldosterone typically causes high blood pressure, while Cushing's disease is due to high levels of cortisol and has different symptoms such as obesity and hypertension.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hormonal imbalance that is incorrectly paired with its related signs or symptoms is c. Excessive aldosterone – low blood pressure; Cushing's disease. In fact, excessive aldosterone is typically associated with high blood pressure due to increased sodium retention, which leads to water retention and an increase in blood volume. On the contrary, Cushing's disease is associated with high levels of cortisol, not aldosterone, and may include symptoms such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and a distinctive moon face.

Furthermore, option b. Insufficient glucocorticoids – Addison's disease is correctly paired, as Addison's disease involves symptoms like chronic fatigue, weakness, and darkening of the skin due to low levels of cortisol. Similarly, option d. Excess PTH – demineralization of bones, high serum calcium correctly aligns the effects of excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) with the associated symptoms. Lastly, e. Excess growth hormone – giantism; acromegaly also correctly associates the hormonal imbalance with its respective signs.

Answer 2

Excessive aldosterone - low blood pressure; Cushing's disease is incorrectly paired with its related signs or symptoms. Therefore, the correct option is c. Excessive aldosterone - low blood pressure; Cushing's disease.

Step-by-step explanation:

Excessive aldosterone secretion is inaccurately linked with low blood pressure in Cushing's disease in option c. Aldosterone is a hormone primarily responsible for regulating salt and water balance in the body by increasing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys. Conditions associated with excess aldosterone, such as primary aldosteronism or Conn's syndrome, typically lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) due to increased sodium retention.

Cushing's disease, however, is caused by excess cortisol production, not aldosterone. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, immune function, and stress response. In Cushing's disease, symptoms arise from the excessive levels of cortisol, resulting in manifestations like weight gain, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, muscle weakness, and changes in the skin (such as thinning and easy bruising). Notably, low blood pressure is not a characteristic feature of Cushing's syndrome but is often observed in conditions related to adrenal insufficiency or decreased cortisol levels, such as Addison's disease.

Therefore, the pairing of excessive aldosterone with low blood pressure in Cushing's disease, as presented in option c, is incorrect based on the typical hormonal imbalances and associated signs and symptoms observed in these respective conditions. Therefore, the correct option is c. Excessive aldosterone - low blood pressure; Cushing's disease.