Preoperative alpha-adrenergic blocker for bilateral adrenalectomy may cause which side effect?

• A. Bradypnea
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Reflex tachycardia
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (C)

Alpha-adrenergic blockers used before surgery to control catecholamine surges cause vasodilation by blocking alpha-1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle. This lowers peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure, and the drop in blood pressure triggers a reflex increase in heart rate to maintain cardiac output—reflex tachycardia. The other options don’t fit: bradypnea isn’t a typical effect of alpha blockade, hyperglycemia isn’t the expected consequence, and hypertension would be unlikely since the medication lowers blood pressure.