Endocrinology: primary adrenal insufficiency: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Endocrinology: primary adrenal insufficiency

Sample item

A patient has fatigue, weight loss, postural dizziness, hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. Which diagnosis best fits?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Primary adrenal insufficiency

Primary adrenal insufficiency causes low cortisol and aldosterone with compensatory ACTH elevation, explaining hyperpigmentation, hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. It can present as an adrenal crisis during physiological stress.

Option by option

  • A. Primary hyperaldosteronism

    Primary hyperaldosteronism causes hypertension and hypokalemia.

  • B. Pheochromocytoma

    Pheochromocytoma causes episodic catecholamine symptoms, often with hypertension.

  • C. Cushing syndrome

    Cushing syndrome causes cortisol excess with features such as proximal weakness and glucose intolerance.

  • D. Primary adrenal insufficiency (correct)

    Correct. The electrolyte pattern and ACTH-related hyperpigmentation are characteristic.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Primary adrenal insufficiency. Primary adrenal insufficiency causes low cortisol and aldosterone with compensatory ACTH elevation, explaining hyperpigmentation, hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia.

Why is "Primary hyperaldosteronism" not the answer?

Primary hyperaldosteronism causes hypertension and hypokalemia.

Why is "Pheochromocytoma" not the answer?

Pheochromocytoma causes episodic catecholamine symptoms, often with hypertension.

Why is "Cushing syndrome" not the answer?

Cushing syndrome causes cortisol excess with features such as proximal weakness and glucose intolerance.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: primary adrenal insufficiency in General Medicine. It can present as an adrenal crisis during physiological stress.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: primary adrenal insufficiency?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.