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A pt presents with tachycardia, swings in BP, headache, diaphoresis, altered mental status and a sense of panic. What do you suspect?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The patient's symptoms suggest a possible catecholamine surge which might indicate a pheochromocytoma or a similar condition. Differential diagnosis is necessary to distinguish this from other possible causes including hyperthyroidism, acute stress response, or acute myocardial infarction.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the symptoms of tachycardia, swings in blood pressure (BP), headache, diaphoresis, altered mental status, and a sense of panic, the patient may be experiencing a catecholamine surge potentially due to a condition such as pheochromocytoma or panic disorder.

These symptoms could also suggest other serious conditions like hyperthyroidism or an acute stress response, as seen in cases of extreme stress or trauma. It's important to perform a differential diagnosis, including laboratory tests and imaging, to rule out these and other possible causes such as acute myocardial infarction or endocrine abnormalities, which can produce similar symptoms.

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