ATI Pathophysiology Practice Exam

What hormone is primarily responsible for mediating the body's response to stress?

1. Adrenaline

2. Cortisol

3. Norepinephrine

4. Insulin

The correct answer is: Cortisol

Cortisol is primarily responsible for mediating the body's response to stress. It is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, and its secretion is triggered by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stressors. When the body perceives a stressful situation, cortisol levels rise, facilitating a range of physiological responses to help manage the stressor. The actions of cortisol include increasing blood glucose levels through gluconeogenesis, enhancing the brain's use of glucose, and supressing non-essential functions in a fight-or-flight scenario, such as immune responses and digestive processes. This promotes a state that is more conducive to survival in the face of acute stress. Other hormones mentioned also play roles in the stress response, but they do so in different contexts or stages. Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) provides immediate arousal and energy in response to stress but is part of the acute response rather than a prolonged mediator like cortisol. Norepinephrine works similarly; it is more involved in influencing mood and attention and also supports immediate reactions. Insulin's role is primarily related to glucose regulation and energy storage, not in responding to stress.