Pharmacology Chapter 38 Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
1. Identify the condition characterized by a significant reduction in bone mass.
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Osteoporosis
D. Cretinism
2. Describe the physical ramifications of the presence of hypothyroidism in infants and children.
A. Mental and physical retardation
B. Exophthalmos
C. Goiter development
D. None of these are correct
3. Select the true statement related to the regulatory process that maintains calcium homeostasis.
A. Hypercalcemia stimulates calcitonin secretion, while hypocalcemia stimulates the secretion of
PTH.
B. Plasma calcium is maintained at 9.0 to 10.4 mg/dL for men and 8.9 to 10.2 mg/dL for women.
C. Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that facilitates calcium absorption from the GI tract, thus
increasing circulating calcium.
D. All of these are correct
4. Explain the physiological effects in the body that are stimulated by the presence of the thyroid
hormones, T3 and T4.
A. Thyroid hormone stimulates protein synthesis.
B. Thyroid hormone increases carbohydrate breakdown as well as blood glucose and insulindependent entry of glucose into cells.
C. Thyroid hormone decreases serum cholesterol.
D. All of these are correct.
5. Using the available treatment options, select the primary treatment for the calcium disorder
hypoparathyroidism.
A. Administration of the bisphosphonates.
B. Administration of intravenous calcium, followed by oral calcium salts and vitamin D.
C. Administration of the parathyroid hormone, teriparatide (Forteo).
D. All of these are correct
6. Use the contraindications and special considerations of the replacement thyroid hormones to
explain to a patient who just found out that she is pregnant how she should use her thyroid
hormones.
A. Discontinue treatment until the third trimester, when there is no longer a risk of affecting fetal
development.
B. Discontinue treatment because the thyroid hormones administered to pregnant women readily
cross the placental barrier to affect fetal development.
C. Continue treatment as usual because the thyroid hormones administered to pregnant women
do not readily cross the placental barrier to affect fetal development.
D. None of these are correct
7. Use the contraindications and special considerations of the replacement thyroid hormones to
explain to a diabetic patient the outcome of discontinuing thyroid treatment without notifying the
physician.
A. Stopping thyroid therapy may bring about hyperglycemia unless the antidiabetic medication is
adjusted upward after stopping thyroid treatment.
B. Stopping thyroid therapy may bring about hypoglycemia unless the antidiabetic medication is
adjusted downward after stopping thyroid treatment.
C. Stopping thyroid therapy may bring about exophthalmos.
D. None of these are correct.
8. Differentiate between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and select the true statement related to the
calcium balance mechanism.
A. The osteoclasts secrete enzymes that break down bone and release calcium ions.
B. The osteoblasts secrete a protein matrix to facilitate calcium ion deposition.
C. A crystalline calcium phosphate salt known as hydroxyapatite is needed for the calcium to be
laid into bone.
D. All of these are correct
9. Select the true statement related to the body's response to calcium levels of more than 10.5
mg/dL.
A. When the plasma calcium level reaches 10.5 mg/dL, calcitonin is secreted. It lowers the
circulating calcium level by antagonizing the effect of PTH on bone.
B. When the plasma calcium level reaches 10.5 mg/dL, calcitonin is secreted. It raises the
circulating calcium level by potentiating the effect of PTH on bone.
C. When the plasma calcium level reaches 10.5 mg/dL, PTH is secreted. It lowers the circulating
calcium level by antagonizing the effect of calcitonin on bone.
D. None of these are correct.
10. Select the statement that best describes the formation of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine
(T4).
A. The secretion of T3 and T4 is under the control of the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-thyroid
axis. The hypothalamus secretes TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which travels in the portal
vein to the anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary is then stimulated to secrete TRH
(thyrotropin-releasing hormone) into the bloodstream. TRH binds to receptors on the plasma
membrane of the thyroid gland, stimulating the production of T3 and T4.
B. The secretion of thyrocalcitonin is under the control of the hypothalamic-anterior pituitarythyroid axis. The hypothalamus secretes thyrocalcitonin, which travels in the portal vein to the
anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary is then stimulated to secrete TSH (thyroid-stimulating
hormone) into the bloodstream. TSH binds to receptors on the plasma membrane of the thyroid
gland, stimulating the production of T3 and T4.
C. The secretion of T3 and T4 is under the control of the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-thyroid
axis. The hypothalamus secretes TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), which travels in the
portal vein to the anterior pituitary. The anterior pituitary is then stimulated to secrete TSH
(thyroid-stimulating hormone) into the bloodstream. TSH binds to receptors on the plasma
membrane of the thyroid gland, stimulating the production of T3 and T4.
D. None of these are correct.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Thyroid Deficiency
11. Please add the generic name, the hormone and the daily adult
maintenance dose
Drug Trade Name
Levothyroid
Cytomel, Triostat
Thyrolar
Amour Thyroid, BioThyroid, Thyroid
USP
Active hormone
Daily adult maintenance dose
12. What mineral is needed for the thyroid to function normally?
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13. Antithyroid Drugs
Drug
Adult oral daily dose
14.What are the drugs Fosamax and Skelid used for?
15. Plasma calcium levels are strictly regulated by the secretion of three hormones. What are
they?