Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of pheochromocytoma?

• A. Water loss
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Decreased cardiac output

Answer: (C)

Pheochromocytoma causes excess catecholamines from the adrenal medulla, which lead to vasoconstriction and heightened cardiac effects. That combination drives elevated blood pressure, often in paroxysmal bursts, making hypertension the most characteristic and telling sign of this disorder.

The other options don’t fit as well: water loss isn’t a typical feature of pheochromocytoma; bradycardia would be unusual since catecholamine excess usually causes tachycardia; decreased cardiac output isn’t the hallmark presentation and would be more typical of advanced failure or shock rather than the classic pattern. So hypertension best reflects the catecholamine-driven effects of the tumor.