A nurse is caring for a client with pheochromocytoma. Which action should be taken to reduce blood pressure and abdominal pressure?

A nurse is caring for a client with pheochromocytoma. Which action should be taken to reduce blood pressure and abdominal pressure?

• A. Elevate the head of the bed.
• B. Palpate the abdomen.
• C. Monitor the client for hypotension.
• D. Check the client's urine specific gravity.

Answer: (A)

In pheochromocytoma, the tumor can dump catecholamines and cause a sharp rise in blood pressure. The priority is to minimize abdominal stimulation that could trigger another surge. Elevating the head of the bed helps create a calmer, less stimulating environment and supports lower blood pressure, making it the best action to reduce both BP and abdominal tension. Palpating the abdomen could provoke a catecholamine release and worsen hypertension, monitoring for hypotension doesn’t address the immediate crisis, and checking urine specific gravity isn’t relevant to controlling the BP spike in this situation.

In pheochromocytoma, the tumor can dump catecholamines and cause a sharp rise in blood pressure. The priority is to minimize abdominal stimulation that could trigger another surge. Elevating the head of the bed helps create a calmer, less stimulating environment and supports lower blood pressure, making it the best action to reduce both BP and abdominal tension. Palpating the abdomen could provoke a catecholamine release and worsen hypertension, monitoring for hypotension doesn’t address the immediate crisis, and checking urine specific gravity isn’t relevant to controlling the BP spike in this situation.