Which data from a patient with pheochromocytoma would most strongly indicate a potential pulmonary complication?

Which data from a patient with pheochromocytoma would most strongly indicate a potential pulmonary complication?

• 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)

In pheochromocytoma, excess catecholamines can place extra strain on the heart and cause left-sided heart failure with fluid backing up into the lungs. The clearest signal of a pulmonary complication is finding congestion in the lungs on auscultation, which points to pulmonary edema or edema-related lung involvement. The other data are not specific to the lungs. Low urine output indicates possible volume depletion or reduced kidney perfusion, not a direct sign of lung trouble. A shortened coagulation time is a blood-clotting parameter unrelated to pulmonary status, and a BUN of 20 mg/dL reflects renal function or fluid balance rather than lung involvement.

In pheochromocytoma, excess catecholamines can place extra strain on the heart and cause left-sided heart failure with fluid backing up into the lungs. The clearest signal of a pulmonary complication is finding congestion in the lungs on auscultation, which points to pulmonary edema or edema-related lung involvement.

The other data are not specific to the lungs. Low urine output indicates possible volume depletion or reduced kidney perfusion, not a direct sign of lung trouble. A shortened coagulation time is a blood-clotting parameter unrelated to pulmonary status, and a BUN of 20 mg/dL reflects renal function or fluid balance rather than lung involvement.