Question

You have a patient with diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma. While waiting for surgery, should you use an alpha blocker or a beta blocker?

Answer 1

In the case of a patient with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, while waiting for surgery, an alpha blocker should be used to manage symptoms and stabilize the patient's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla that causes excessive production of catecholamines, resulting in hypertension. While waiting for surgery, it is important to manage the symptoms associated with pheochromocytoma. In this case, the use of an alpha blocker would be more appropriate as it blocks the alpha receptors, leading to vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. This can help stabilize the patient's condition before surgery.