Adrenal Disorders USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 48-year-old woman with a 10-year history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity presents with severe fatigue and bruising. Laboratory studies show cortisol 28 µg/dL, ACTH 8 pg/mL, and a 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test cortisol of 22 µg/dL. Abdominal CT shows a 3.5-cm right adrenal mass. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- AAdrenal insufficiency with secondary hypertension
- BPrimary aldosteronism with metabolic syndrome
- CACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma
- DEctopic ACTH from carcinoid tumor
- EACTH-independent Cushing syndrome from adrenal adenomaCorrect answer
- FPheochromocytoma with concurrent metabolic disorder
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.