Hormones released by the anterior pituitary include?
a. GH, TSH, FSH
b. GH, ADH, Oxytocin
c. GH, ACTH, LH
d. Prolactin, LH, ACTH

1. A

   A, C, and D only

2. B

   A, B and C only

3. C

   A, B, C and D

4. D

   B, C, and D only

Appeared in: MNS 2024

Explanation

• The anterior pituitary secretes six major hormones: Growth Hormone (GH), Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Prolactin (PRL).
• Statement 'a' (GH, TSH, FSH), statement 'c' (GH, ACTH, LH), and statement 'd' (Prolactin, LH, ACTH) all contain hormones exclusively from this list.
• Statement 'b' is incorrect because it includes Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin, which are released from the posterior pituitary.
• Therefore, the correct combination of true statements is 'a', 'c', and 'd'.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: This option is incorrect because it includes statement 'b'. Statement 'b' incorrectly lists Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin as anterior pituitary hormones.
• Option C: This option suggests all statements (a, b, c, and d) are correct, which is false. Statement 'b' is incorrect.
• Option D: This option is incorrect because it includes statement 'b' and omits statement 'a'. Statement 'a' is correct, and statement 'b' is incorrect.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding the origin of pituitary hormones is crucial for diagnosing and managing endocrine disorders. For example, a tumor in the anterior pituitary can lead to overproduction of a specific hormone, causing conditions like acromegaly (excess GH) or Cushing's disease (excess ACTH).
• Nurses must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of pituitary dysfunction. For instance, a patient with hypopituitarism (deficiency of pituitary hormones) may present with fatigue, weight loss, and intolerance to stress, requiring careful monitoring and hormone replacement therapy.
• What if? If a patient presents with excessive thirst and urination (polyuria), the nurse should consider a potential issue with a posterior pituitary hormone, specifically a deficiency of ADH (Diabetes Insipidus), rather than an anterior pituitary problem.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core concept of the question, which is to distinguish between anterior and posterior pituitary hormones.
• Review the list of major anterior pituitary hormones: GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, and Prolactin. A mnemonic like 'FLAT PEG' can be helpful for recall.
• Review the posterior pituitary hormones: ADH and Oxytocin.
• Evaluate each statement (a, b, c, d) individually. Check if all hormones listed in a single statement belong to the anterior pituitary.
• Mark statement 'b' as incorrect because it contains posterior pituitary hormones (ADH and Oxytocin). Mark statements 'a', 'c', and 'd' as correct.
• Finally, select the option (A, B, C, or D) that accurately reflects your evaluation of the statements. In this case, the option that includes 'a', 'c', and 'd' only is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Identification of hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
• Stem keywords: Hormones, anterior pituitary, GH, TSH, FSH, ADH, Oxytocin, ACTH
• Lead-in keywords: include

Question ID

QMyrCvpKa90HFSWCfpQFs2

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 1 Part 2 pp. 115-117, 92-94

E6 Pharmacology Katzung 16e p. 1042-1044