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