NLE Endocrinology MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Sample NLE Endocrinology MCQs covering diabetes, thyroid and adrenal/pituitary disorders, each with a full explanation.

Endocrinology is a 65-question subject in HighYield's NLE (National Licensing Examination) question bank that doesn't yet have a dedicated practice post. Below is a sample set of Endocrinology MCQs covering diabetes, thyroid and adrenal/pituitary disorders.

Diabetes Mellitus

1. A diabetic patient presents with Kussmaul breathing, fruity breath odour and a blood glucose of 480 mg/dL with significant ketonuria. This picture is most consistent with:

A) Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state
B) Diabetic ketoacidosis ✅
C) Lactic acidosis
D) Somogyi effect

2. Metformin's primary glucose-lowering mechanism is:

A) Stimulating insulin release from beta cells
B) Decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis ✅
C) Blocking intestinal glucose absorption
D) Increasing renal glucose excretion

Thyroid Disorders

3. A patient with exophthalmos, pretibial myxoedema and a diffusely enlarged, non-tender thyroid most likely has autoantibodies against the:

A) Thyroid peroxidase only
B) TSH receptor (stimulating) ✅
C) Thyroglobulin only
D) Calcitonin receptor

4. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is classically associated with which antibody?

A) Anti-TSH receptor (stimulating)
B) Anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) ✅
C) Anti-centromere
D) Anti-dsDNA

Adrenal & Pituitary

5. Hyperpigmentation in Addison's disease occurs because low cortisol leads to a compensatory rise in:

A) Melanocyte-stimulating hormone via raised ACTH precursor ✅
B) Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C) Growth hormone
D) Prolactin

6. The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome overall is:

A) Adrenal adenoma
B) Ectopic ACTH secretion
C) Exogenous corticosteroid use ✅
D) Pituitary adenoma

7. A post-neurosurgical patient develops polyuria, polydipsia and dilute urine despite high serum osmolality. The most likely diagnosis is:

A) SIADH
B) Central diabetes insipidus ✅
C) Primary polydipsia
D) Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus from lithium

8. "Stones, bones, groans and psychiatric overtones" is the classic mnemonic for:

A) Hypocalcaemia
B) Primary hyperparathyroidism ✅
C) Hypothyroidism
D) Addisonian crisis

Prepare with HighYield

HighYield's NLE question bank covers Endocrinology alongside Surgery, General Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and every other subject tested in the National Licensing Examination, with every question explained. New to the exam structure? Start with our NLE Syllabus breakdown.