Answer: Increased blood pressure due to sodium retention.
- A Increased skin pigmentation linked to elevated ACTH
- B Weakness and fatigue from impaired glucose mobilization
- C Low blood sodium from reduced aldosterone activity
- D Increased blood pressure due to sodium retention
Correct answer: D. Increased blood pressure due to sodium retention
Explanation: Addison's disease lowers aldosterone and cortisol, causing sodium loss, hypotension (not increased blood pressure), fatigue, and hyperpigmentation from compensatory ACTH rise.
The hypothalamus releases hormones that direct the pituitary, which releases its own trophic hormone to a target gland; that gland's hormone output then feeds back (dashed lines) to suppress both the pituitary and hypothalamus once levels are sufficient - a self-correcting loop running the entire endocrine system.
Concept context
The endocrine glands, hormone classification and mechanism of action, and negative feedback regulation.