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Anatomy and physiology: digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive

25 Kerala PSC Staff Nurse Gr II practice questions on Anatomy and physiology: digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive, part of Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

  1. Question 1 · Medium

    Ovulation in the menstrual cycle is triggered by a mid-cycle surge of:

    1. AProgesterone
    2. BFollicle-stimulating hormone
    3. CLuteinising hormone
    4. DProlactin
    Show answer

    Answer: C · Luteinising hormone

    A sharp mid-cycle rise in luteinising hormone from the anterior pituitary causes the mature follicle to rupture, about 14 days before the next period. The ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Home ovulation kits detect this LH surge in urine.

    • A: Progesterone rises after ovulation, from the corpus luteum.
    • B: FSH rises too, but it mainly grows the follicles early in the cycle.
    • D: High prolactin suppresses ovulation.

  2. Question 2 · Easy

    Antidiuretic hormone is released into the blood from the:

    1. APosterior pituitary
    2. BThyroid gland
    3. CAdrenal cortex
    4. DAnterior pituitary
    Show answer

    Answer: A · Posterior pituitary

    ADH (vasopressin) is made in the hypothalamus and carried down nerve fibres to the posterior pituitary, where it is stored and released. It makes the collecting ducts reabsorb water, concentrating the urine. Oxytocin is the other posterior pituitary hormone.

    • B: The thyroid releases T3, T4 and calcitonin.
    • C: The adrenal cortex releases aldosterone and cortisol.
    • D: The anterior pituitary releases GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH and prolactin.

  3. Question 3 · Medium

    Which hormone stimulates the breast to secrete milk after childbirth?

    1. AProlactin
    2. BOxytocin
    3. CProgesterone
    4. DOestrogen
    Show answer

    Answer: A · Prolactin

    Prolactin from the anterior pituitary stimulates the alveolar cells of the breast to produce milk. Suckling raises prolactin, so frequent feeding keeps supply going. During pregnancy high oestrogen and progesterone block milk secretion; their fall after delivery of the placenta allows lactation to begin.

    • B: Oxytocin ejects milk already made (let-down); it does not make it.
    • C: Progesterone grows the alveoli but also suppresses milk secretion.
    • D: Oestrogen grows the duct system but suppresses milk secretion.

  4. Question 4 · Medium

    Which substance is filtered by the glomerulus but normally fully reabsorbed, so that it is absent from urine?

    1. AGlucose
    2. BUrea
    3. CCreatinine
    4. DUric acid
    Show answer

    Answer: A · Glucose

    Glucose is freely filtered and normally all of it is taken back in the proximal tubule. It appears in urine only when blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold of about 180 mg/dL, as in uncontrolled diabetes, or in pregnancy when the threshold falls. Urea, creatinine and uric acid are wastes that stay in the urine.

    • B: Urea is partly reabsorbed but much remains in urine.
    • C: Creatinine is filtered and slightly secreted, not reabsorbed.
    • D: Uric acid is a waste product always present in urine.

  5. Question 5 · Easy

    The adrenal medulla mainly secretes:

    1. ACortisol
    2. BAdrenaline
    3. CAndrogens
    4. DAldosterone
    Show answer

    Answer: B · Adrenaline

    The adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline in response to sympathetic stimulation, producing the fight-or-flight response. Its tumour, phaeochromocytoma, causes episodes of severe hypertension, palpitation and sweating. The cortex, not the medulla, makes steroid hormones.

    • A: Cortisol comes from the zona fasciculata of the cortex.
    • C: Adrenal androgens come from the zona reticularis of the cortex.
    • D: Aldosterone comes from the zona glomerulosa of the cortex.

  7. Question 7 · Easy

    Fertilisation of the ovum normally takes place in the:

    1. AAmpulla of the fallopian tube
    2. BFimbrial end of the tube
    3. CIsthmus of the fallopian tube
    4. DCavity of the uterus

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  8. Question 8 · Medium

    Most of the water and sodium in the glomerular filtrate is reabsorbed in the:

    1. ADistal convoluted tubule
    2. BProximal convoluted tubule
    3. CLoop of Henle
    4. DCollecting duct

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  9. Question 9 · Easy

    Calcitonin is secreted by the:

    1. AParafollicular cells of the thyroid
    2. BFollicular cells of the thyroid
    3. CChief cells of the parathyroid
    4. DBeta cells of the pancreas

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  11. Question 11 · Medium

    The right kidney lies slightly lower than the left kidney because of the:

    1. ASpleen above it
    2. BStomach in front of it
    3. CLiver above it
    4. DHeart above it

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  12. Question 12 · Easy

    The spinal reflex centre for micturition lies in the:

    1. AThoracic segments T1-T4
    2. BCervical segments C3-C5
    3. CSacral segments S2-S4
    4. DMedulla oblongata

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  13. Question 13 · Hard

    The glomeruli of a healthy adult filter about 180 litres of plasma a day, yet only about 1.5 litres of urine is passed. The share of the filtrate reabsorbed by the tubules is closest to:

    1. A90%
    2. B50%
    3. C75%
    4. D99%

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  14. Question 14 · Easy

    The main action of parathyroid hormone is to:

    1. ALower blood sodium
    2. BRaise blood glucose
    3. CLower blood calcium
    4. DRaise blood calcium

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  15. Question 15 · Easy

    The normal serum sodium level in an adult is:

    1. A155-165 mEq/L
    2. B95-105 mEq/L
    3. C135-145 mEq/L
    4. D3.5-5.0 mEq/L

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  16. Question 16 · Hard

    A 50-year-old woman has jaundice, itching and clay-coloured stools. Her urine is dark yellow and froths on shaking. The pigment darkening her urine is:

    1. AUnconjugated bilirubin
    2. BConjugated bilirubin
    3. CHaemoglobin
    4. DStercobilin

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  17. Question 17 · Hard

    A woman has taken prednisolone for six months for an autoimmune disease and now has a moon face and a buffalo hump. She is taught never to stop the drug suddenly, because:

    1. AHer own adrenal cortex has been suppressed
    2. BHer blood glucose will fall to a dangerous low
    3. CHer thyroid gland will stop working
    4. DThe moon face will worsen on stopping

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  18. Question 18 · Hard

    A diabetic patient on insulin becomes sweaty, shaky and confused before lunch. Capillary blood glucose is 50 mg/dL. He is alert enough to swallow. The nurse's first action is to:

    1. AGive the next dose of insulin early
    2. BGive 50% dextrose intravenously at once
    3. CRecheck blood glucose after one hour
    4. DGive 15-20 g of fast-acting oral glucose

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  19. Question 19 · Hard

    A 30-year-old woman with regular 28-day cycles asks when to do her monthly breast self-examination. The nurse advises:

    1. AIn the week just before her period
    2. BAbout a week after her period begins
    3. COn the first day of her period
    4. DOn the day of ovulation

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  20. Question 20 · Medium

    A patient with cirrhosis of the liver has ascites and pedal oedema. A major cause of the oedema is low serum:

    1. AAlbumin
    2. BGlobulin
    3. CAmmonia
    4. DBilirubin

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  21. Question 21 · Medium

    Deficiency of thyroid hormone present from birth, if untreated, causes:

    1. ACretinism
    2. BMyxoedema
    3. CAcromegaly
    4. DGraves' disease

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  22. Question 22 · Medium

    The common bile duct and the main pancreatic duct open into the duodenum through the:

    1. APyloric sphincter
    2. BIleocaecal valve
    3. CAmpulla of Vater
    4. DCystic duct

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  23. Question 23 · Medium

    Aldosterone acts on the kidney tubules to cause:

    1. ACalcium retention and phosphate loss
    2. BSodium loss and potassium retention
    3. CSodium retention and potassium loss
    4. DWater loss without sodium

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

  24. Question 24 · Medium

    All of the following are normal functions of the liver EXCEPT:

    1. ASecretion of insulin
    2. BSynthesis of albumin
    3. CStorage of glycogen
    4. DConjugation of bilirubin

    Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

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