Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Mr. Smith, diagnosed with primary hyperaldosteronism, has hypertension caused by excessive hormone secretion from which gland?

1. Adrenal cortex.

2. Adrenal medulla.

3. Pancreas.

4. Parathyroid.

The correct answer is: Adrenal cortex.

Primary hyperaldosteronism, also known as Conn's syndrome, is characterized by an overproduction of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels in the body and plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure. The adrenal glands are made up of two main parts: the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. Aldosterone is produced in the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of the adrenal glands. In this condition, the adrenal cortex's excessive secretion of aldosterone leads to increased sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, resulting in high blood pressure (hypertension). Because of this direct connection between the adrenal cortex and the production of aldosterone in primary hyperaldosteronism, the adrenal cortex is identified as the correct answer. The other options are incorrect as follows: the adrenal medulla produces catecholamines (like adrenaline) and is not involved in aldosterone production; the pancreas primarily regulates blood sugar through insulin and glucagon and is not related to aldosterone; and the parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the blood and do not produce aldosterone either. Hence, the adrenal cortex stands out as the gland responsible for the excessive hormone secretion leading to Mr. Smith's condition.