A client admitted with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The nurse would monitor which of the following to detect the most common sign of pheochromocytoma?

A client admitted with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The nurse would monitor which of the following to detect the most common sign of pheochromocytoma?

• A. Skin Temperature
• B. Blood Pressure
• C. Urine Ketones
• D. Weight

Answer: (B)

A pheochromocytoma causes excess catecholamine release, which leads to vasoconstriction and increased heart rate and contractility. The result most consistently seen is elevated blood pressure, whether it’s sustained or occurs in episodes. So, monitoring blood pressure directly detects the most common sign of this condition and allows assessment of hypertension severity and episodic spikes. Other signs listed, like skin temperature, urine ketones, or weight changes, are not as closely linked to the tumor’s dominant effect and would not reliably indicate pheochromocytoma.

A pheochromocytoma causes excess catecholamine release, which leads to vasoconstriction and increased heart rate and contractility. The result most consistently seen is elevated blood pressure, whether it’s sustained or occurs in episodes. So, monitoring blood pressure directly detects the most common sign of this condition and allows assessment of hypertension severity and episodic spikes.

Other signs listed, like skin temperature, urine ketones, or weight changes, are not as closely linked to the tumor’s dominant effect and would not reliably indicate pheochromocytoma.