A patient is brought into the emergency department with a pheochromocytoma. In order to reverse the lethal symptoms of this disease, the nurse prepares to infuse:

Explanation

• Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal gland that results in increased secretion of catecholamines

• Due to a high level of catecholamines, both alpha and beta blockers are required, particularly alpha blockers. Phenoxybenzamine is the preferred alpha blocker

• The patient's blood pressure and heart rate should be stablized until the patient undergoes an adrenalectomy

• Norepinephrine and dopamine are catecholamines and should not be administered to a patient with a pheochromocytoma

• Atropine is used for symptomatic bradycardia and is not indicated in the treatment of pheochromocytoma

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