Pituitary tumors and hypertension: implications for neurosurgical nurses.
Hypertension is found in association with functioning pituitary tumors causing acromegaly and Cushing's disease. In acromegaly, the cure of the disease or decrease in level of HGH is not seen to correlate with a decrease in blood pressure, perhaps due to longstanding changes such as cardiac enlargement or increased blood volume. Many investigators have reported a cure or improvement of the hypertension in patients with Cushing's disease following successful treatment. Nursing management of the patient with a pituitary tumor should emphasize a thorough history and physical examination as well as an awareness of hypertension and its impact. Nurses must also assume responsibility for careful monitoring both before and after the patient's surgery.
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000209:etiology; D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery