Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

The primary function of antidiuretic hormone is to regulate what in the body?

1. Blood pressure

2. Water balance

3. Heart rate

4. Glucose levels

The correct answer is: Water balance

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, plays a crucial role in the body's ability to maintain water balance. Its primary function is to regulate the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys during urine formation. When the body is dehydrated or when blood osmolarity is high, ADH is released from the posterior pituitary gland, prompting the kidneys to retain water rather than excreting it as urine. This process helps to preserve the body's fluid balance, dilute the blood, and maintain proper hydration levels. Through its action on the kidneys, ADH effectively reduces urine output and increases water reabsorption in the renal tubules, thereby helping to concentrate urine. This regulation is vital for maintaining homeostasis, especially in instances of fluid loss due to sweating, diarrhea, or insufficient fluid intake. In contrast, blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels are regulated by other hormones and physiological mechanisms. Blood pressure is primarily influenced by factors such as cardiac output and vascular resistance, heart rate is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and glucose levels are regulated by hormones like insulin and glucagon. Each of these functions falls outside the primary role of antidiuretic hormone.