Which of the following disorder is caused by excessive producing of somatotropin?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Somatotropin is another name for Growth Hormone (GH), which is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
Acromegaly is the disorder caused by the hypersecretion (excessive production) of GH that occurs in adulthood, after the closure of the bone's epiphyseal growth plates.
This hormonal excess leads to the characteristic signs of the disease, including the enlargement and thickening of bones in the hands, feet, and face (e.g., jaw, brow ridges).
The most common cause of this overproduction is a benign tumor of the pituitary gland known as a pituitary adenoma.

Option A: Adrenogenital syndrome is not caused by an excess of growth hormone. It results from the overproduction of androgens (male sex hormones) by the adrenal cortex.
Option B: Cretinism is caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone (congenital hypothyroidism), not an excess of somatotropin. It leads to severely stunted physical and mental growth.
Option D: Dwarfism is caused by the opposite condition: a deficiency (hyposecretion) of somatotropin (Growth Hormone) during childhood, leading to short stature.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Disorders of the Anterior Pituitary Gland as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in identifying the signs of Acromegaly, which often develop slowly over years. Recognizing changes like increasing shoe or ring size, and coarsening facial features can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Post-operative nursing care for patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery (a common treatment to remove the pituitary tumor) is critical. This includes monitoring for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, signs of diabetes insipidus, and managing hormone replacement therapy.
Patient education is vital, covering medication adherence, monitoring for complications like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease, and understanding the lifelong nature of the condition.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: "excessive producing" and "somatotropin".
Recall that 'somatotropin' is the medical term for Growth Hormone (GH).
The question is asking for a condition caused by too much Growth Hormone.
Analyze the options based on this understanding:
Adrenogenital syndrome: Relates to adrenal hormones (androgens), not GH.
Cretinism: Relates to a deficiency of thyroid hormone.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 pp. 31-33, 32-34, 33-35

Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

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