Which data are indicative of a potential complication in a client with pheochromocytoma?

Which data are indicative of a potential complication in a client with pheochromocytoma?

• A. A urinary output of 50 mL/hr
• B. A coagulation time of 5 minutes
• C. Congestion heard on auscultation of the lungs
• D. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 20 mg/dL

Answer: (C)

Pheochromocytoma can drive afterload and myocardial stress through excess catecholamines, so a serious complication to watch for is heart failure with pulmonary edema. Lung congestion heard on auscultation reflects fluid backing up into the lungs from left-sided heart failure, which can occur with severe hypertension and cardiomyopathy related to catecholamine surges. So, the finding of lung congestion is indicative of a potential complication. The other data—urine output that is reasonably adequate, a coagulation time that’s not explained by a bleeding/clotting disorder, and a normal-to-high BUN—do not specifically signal a pheochromocytoma-related complication like pulmonary edema.

Pheochromocytoma can drive afterload and myocardial stress through excess catecholamines, so a serious complication to watch for is heart failure with pulmonary edema. Lung congestion heard on auscultation reflects fluid backing up into the lungs from left-sided heart failure, which can occur with severe hypertension and cardiomyopathy related to catecholamine surges.

So, the finding of lung congestion is indicative of a potential complication. The other data—urine output that is reasonably adequate, a coagulation time that’s not explained by a bleeding/clotting disorder, and a normal-to-high BUN—do not specifically signal a pheochromocytoma-related complication like pulmonary edema.