Function Tests: Endocrine Function: Adrenocortical Function: Tests

Question 1

Rationale assumes adrenal gland will respond to _____ stimulation by glucocorticoids released in proportion to gland size and development.

Answer 1

ACTH

Question 2

What kind of adrenal gland response is this when testing ACTH Response?

1. Exaggerated response
2. The gland is bigger than it should be and has more cells to release the hormone

Answer 2

Hyperplastic

Question 3

What kind of adrenal gland response is this when testing ACTH Response?

1. Decreased response
2. The gland is smaller than it should be and has less cells to release the hormone

Answer 3

Hypoplastic

Question 4

What is the ACTH Response Test used for?

Answer 4

Screening test for Cushing’s

Question 5

What is this the protocol for?

1. resting cortisol sample
2. Inject ACTH IM
3. Resting cortisol sample (second sample)

Answer 5

ACTH Response Test

Question 6

How much serum do you need and how much whole blood do you need for a ACTH Response Test?

Answer 6

Serum - 1.5 mL

Whole Blood: 3 mL

Question 7

How much time between injection of ACTH and sample collection for these animals?

1. horses
2. dogs
3. cats

Answer 7

1. 8 hours
2. 2 hours
3. 1 hour

Question 8

What test is this?

1. Evaluates adrenal glands differently using feedback loop
2. Also tells you if Cushing’s Disease is present

Answer 8

Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Question 9

What test is this?

1. In normal animals, injection should suppress ACTH release from pituitary
2. Should see a decrease in cortisol levels

Answer 9

Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Question 10

What version of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test is this?

Confirms or replaces ACTH 1. test for hyper-function, differentiates normal from hyper

Answer 10

Low Dosage Test

Question 11

_____ animals are resistant to suppression by small doses of Dexamethasone.

Answer 11

Hypercorticism

Question 12

What is hypercorticism caused by?

Answer 12

tumor on the adrenal gland

Question 13

What does decreased pituitary insensitivity to small amounts of dexamethasone lead to? (2)

Answer 13

1. increased ACTH

2. increased cortisol

Question 14

What causes decreased pituitary insensitivity?

Answer 14

caused by pituitary gland tumor

Question 15

What version of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test is this?

1. Goes further, differentiates pituitary from adrenal causes for hyper-function
2. Sensitivity of diseased pituitary to dexamethasone is incomplete
3. If adrenal glands are abnormal, they will continue to secrete cortisol

Answer 15

High Dosage Test

Question 16

___ doses of dexamethasone overcomes it and ACTH is suppressed, cortisol levels will _____ .

Answer 16

1. high

2. fall/decrease

Question 17

If unresponsive to all dexamethasone dosage ______________ .

Answer 17

primarily adrenal gland disease

Question 18

If suppressed by large dose, but not small _________________ .

Answer 18

pituitary gland problems