Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

CHAPTER 8 Endocrine System^353

• Weigh the patient daily.


• Explain to patient:
  
  
  • Thirst, dry mucous membranes are caused by low sodium. Allow sips of
    water, ice chips.
  
  
  
  

Pheochromocytoma

WHAT WENT WRONG?

A tumor on the adrenal medulla secretes excessive amounts of epinephrine and
norepinephrine.

PROGNOSIS

Patients who are diagnosed and treated early can expect a normal life with
closefollow-up, if the tumor is benign. Patients can expect a limited prognosis if
the tumor is malignant. Metastasis may develop at any time. The patient’s hyper-
tension often resolves with removal of the tumor, but may recur later in life.

HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Uncontrollable hypertension as a result from increased epinephrine and nor-
  epinephrine


• Headaches as a result of hypertension


• Palpitations and tachycardia due to increased production of catecholamines


• Dilated pupils from increased production of epinephrine and norepinephrine

INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS

• Presences of catecholamines in serum.


• Increased catecholamines, metanephrines, and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
  in 24-hour urine collection.


• Presence of adrenal tumor shown in CT scan.

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