When assisting with planning care for a client with pheochromocytoma, which information should the nurse know?

When assisting with planning care for a client with pheochromocytoma, which information should the nurse know?

• A. Profound Hypotension May Occur
• B. Excessive Catecholamines Are Released
• C. The Condition Is Not Curable and Is Treated Symptomatically
• D. Hypoglycemia Is the Primary Presenting Symptom

Answer: (B)

Pheochromocytoma drives its effects by releasing excessive catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) from the adrenal medulla. That surge leads to episodic, often severe hypertension with symptoms such as tachycardia, headaches, sweating, and anxiety. For planning care, this means the nurse focuses on the consequences of too much catecholamine activity: closely monitor blood pressure and heart rate, recognize signs of a hypertensive crisis, and prepare to manage these swings. Preoperative strategy typically involves alpha-adrenergic blockade to control blood pressure before considering any beta-blockade for persistent tachycardia; after tumor removal, be ready for possible hypotension due to a sudden drop in catecholamines. The tumor can be curable with surgical excision, so treating it as only symptomatically managed is not correct. Hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, is more commonly associated with excess catecholamines, though glucose needs can change postoperatively.

Pheochromocytoma drives its effects by releasing excessive catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) from the adrenal medulla. That surge leads to episodic, often severe hypertension with symptoms such as tachycardia, headaches, sweating, and anxiety. For planning care, this means the nurse focuses on the consequences of too much catecholamine activity: closely monitor blood pressure and heart rate, recognize signs of a hypertensive crisis, and prepare to manage these swings. Preoperative strategy typically involves alpha-adrenergic blockade to control blood pressure before considering any beta-blockade for persistent tachycardia; after tumor removal, be ready for possible hypotension due to a sudden drop in catecholamines. The tumor can be curable with surgical excision, so treating it as only symptomatically managed is not correct. Hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, is more commonly associated with excess catecholamines, though glucose needs can change postoperatively.