Adrenal Insufficiency: ABFM practice questions

7 board-style questions on adrenal insufficiency in the PulseMD family medicine question bank, written against current guidelines with the reference cited on each question. Two free samples below; the full set with answers, explanations, and spaced review is free to start.

Sample question 1

A 34-year-old man presents to the emergency department with severe fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and vague abdominal pain that has worsened over 2 weeks. He has a history of vitiligo. On examination, his blood pressure is 82/54 mmHg and heart rate is 112 bpm. Hyperpigmentation is noted on the palmar creases, gingiva, and recent surgical scars. Laboratory results show sodium 128 mEq/L, potassium 6.1 mEq/L, and glucose 62 mg/dL. What is the most likely diagnosis?

  1. Septic shock
  2. Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)
  3. Hypothyroidism
  4. Diabetic ketoacidosis

Sample question 2

A 28-year-old woman presents with amenorrhea for 8 months and milky nipple discharge bilaterally. She is not pregnant (negative beta-hCG) and takes no medications. Serum prolactin is 185 ng/mL (normal <25). TSH is normal. MRI of the pituitary reveals a 1.4 cm pituitary adenoma. What is the most appropriate initial treatment?

  1. Cabergoline
  2. Transsphenoidal surgical resection
  3. Observation with repeat MRI in 6 months
  4. Radiation therapy

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