Adrenal Disorders USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 35-year-old woman with newly diagnosed hypertension and hypokalemia undergoes screening. Serum aldosterone is 18 ng/dL with plasma renin activity of 0.8 ng/mL/hr. Aldosterone-to-renin ratio is 22.5. Saline infusion test shows persistent aldosterone elevation (14 ng/dL). Bilateral adrenal CT is normal. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- ASecondary hyperaldosteronism from renal disease
- BAdrenal carcinoma
- CGlucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism
- DAldosterone-producing adenoma
- EIdiopathic hyperaldosteronismCorrect answer
- FRenovascular hypertension with secondary hyperaldosteronism
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.