What is the full form of ACTH?

Appeared in: AIIMS Nagpur NO- 2020

Explanation

ACTH is the abbreviation for Adrenocorticotropic hormone.
It is a hormone synthesized and secreted by the corticotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland.
Its principal effect is the stimulation of the adrenal cortex to produce and release cortisol.
ACTH release is stimulated by Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus as part of the body's stress response.

Option A: This is not a recognized medical term. It seems to be a confusion between 'angiotensin-converting enzyme' and the concept of a hormone.
Option C: Acetylcholine (ACh) is a major neurotransmitter in the body, involved in nerve-to-muscle communication and functions of the autonomic nervous system. It is not a pituitary hormone.
Option D: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is an enzyme central to the renin-angiotensin system, which regulates blood pressure. It is not a hormone and its abbreviation is ACE, not ACTH.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The full form and function of the hormone ACTH as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses often encounter patients with endocrine disorders affecting the HPA axis. Understanding ACTH is crucial for interpreting lab results and monitoring patients with conditions like Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease.
The ACTH stimulation test is a common diagnostic procedure nurses may assist with. It involves measuring cortisol levels before and after an injection of synthetic ACTH (cosyntropin) to assess adrenal gland function.
What if? If a patient is on long-term high-dose steroid therapy (e.g., prednisone), their natural ACTH production is suppressed. A nurse must educate the patient never to stop the steroid abruptly, as this can cause an adrenal crisis due to the adrenal glands' inability to produce cortisol on their own.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is to provide the full form of the abbreviation 'ACTH'.
This is a factual recall question based on knowledge of the endocrine system.
Mentally review the major hormones of the pituitary gland and their abbreviations.
Evaluate each option. 'Adrenocorticotropic hormone' directly relates to the adrenal cortex ('adreno-'), has a stimulating effect ('-tropic'), and is a hormone. This is a strong candidate.
Eliminate the other options. 'Angiotensin' relates to the renin-angiotensin system for blood pressure, not the pituitary-adrenal axis. 'Acetylcholine' is a neurotransmitter. 'Enzyme' in option D is incorrect as ACTH is a hormone.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1164-1166

E6 Pharmacology Katzung 16e pp. 1042-1044, 474-476

Practise the full AIIMS Nagpur NO- 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.