Diabetes Mellitus USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 52-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus presents with hypertension (BP 168/104 mmHg, HR 92/min, RR 16/min). Laboratory studies show serum glucose 287 mg/dL and elevated aldosterone levels. Physical examination reveals no edema or hirsutism. During a discussion of his hypertension's endocrine causes, his physician reviews adrenal cortex anatomy and function. Which zone sequence, from outermost to innermost, correctly produces aldosterone, cortisol, and androgens?
Answer choices
- AZona glomerulosa, zona reticularis, zona fasciculata
- BZona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, zona reticularisCorrect answer
- CZona fasciculata, zona glomerulosa, zona reticularis
- DZona reticularis, zona fasciculata, zona glomerulosa
- EZona fasciculata, zona reticularis, zona glomerulosa
- FZona fasciculata, zona fasciculata, zona reticularis
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.