Hypopituitarism MCQ Quiz | Endocrinology & Metabolism

Welcome to the Hypopituitarism MCQ quiz, designed for MBBS students to test and reinforce their understanding of this crucial topic in Endocrinology. This quiz covers the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of conditions leading to pituitary hormone deficiencies. Each of the 25 questions is crafted to reflect the complexity and clinical relevance you’ll encounter in your studies and practice. After submitting your answers, you’ll receive your score and see a detailed breakdown of the correct and incorrect responses. For your convenience and future revision, an option to download all the questions with their correct answers in PDF format is available at the end of the quiz. Good luck!

1. What is the most common cause of hypopituitarism in adults?

2. Sheehan’s syndrome is a form of hypopituitarism caused by:

3. In the setting of a slowly enlarging pituitary macroadenoma, which hormone deficiency is typically the first to become clinically evident?

4. A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache, bitemporal hemianopia, and signs of cardiovascular collapse. This clinical picture is most characteristic of:

5. Which diagnostic test is considered the “gold standard” for assessing both ACTH and GH reserve?

6. In a patient with secondary hypothyroidism due to hypopituitarism, the expected thyroid function test results would be:

7. When initiating hormone replacement in a patient with panhypopituitarism, which hormone must be replaced *before* starting levothyroxine to prevent precipitating a life-threatening crisis?

8. A 45-year-old male is diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Which of the following clinical features would be expected?

9. A patient with known anterior hypopituitarism secondary to a craniopharyngioma resection develops intense thirst and excretion of large volumes of dilute urine. This is most likely due to a deficiency of which hormone?

10. Which of the following is an infiltrative disease known to cause hypopituitarism by affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary stalk?

11. A 7-year-old boy presents with a significantly delayed growth velocity and is below the third percentile for height. A deficiency of which pituitary hormone is the most likely endocrine cause?

12. The short Synacthen test (ACTH stimulation test) directly assesses the functional capacity of the:

13. What is the initial imaging modality of choice for a patient with suspected hypopituitarism due to a sellar mass?

14. In the management of secondary adrenal insufficiency, which hormone replacement is generally NOT required, unlike in primary adrenal insufficiency?

15. Empty sella syndrome is a condition where the sella turcica is not completely filled with pituitary tissue. It is most commonly:

16. A 30-year-old woman presents with secondary amenorrhea and galactorrhea. Her lab tests show elevated prolactin levels. This clinical picture is most suggestive of a prolactinoma, which can cause hypopituitarism through:

17. Kallmann syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and which other distinctive feature?

18. In a patient experiencing pituitary apoplexy, the most immediate life-threatening concern that requires urgent management is:

19. Hypopituitarism following cranial irradiation for a brain tumor is typically characterized by:

20. The classic dermatological finding in a patient with long-standing panhypopituitarism, often described as fine, pale, and wrinkled skin, is sometimes referred to as:

21. To best mimic the natural diurnal rhythm of cortisol, glucocorticoid replacement therapy for secondary adrenal insufficiency is typically prescribed as:

22. Which laboratory finding is most suggestive of central (secondary or tertiary) hypothyroidism?

23. The “high-dose hook effect” is a laboratory artifact that can lead to a falsely low measurement of which hormone in the presence of a very large pituitary adenoma?

24. Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with the initiation of growth hormone replacement therapy in adults?

25. A patient with known panhypopituitarism on stable hormone replacement is scheduled for major abdominal surgery. How should their glucocorticoid therapy be managed perioperatively?