A 41-year-old male patient has a history of recurrent attacks of heartbeats (paroxysms), profuse sweating, headaches. Examination revealed hypertension, hyperglycemia, increased basal metabolic rate, and tachycardia. These clinical presentations are typical for the following adrenal pathology:

Answer options

1. Primary aldosteronism
2. Hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex
3. Hypofunction of the medulla
4. Hypofunction of the adrenal cortex
5. Hyperfunction of the medulla

Explanation

A 41-year-old male patient has a history of recurrent attacks of heartbeats (paroxysms), profuse sweating, headaches. Examination revealed hypertension, hyperglycemia, increased basal metabolic rate, and tachycardia. These clinical presentations are typical for the following adrenal pathology:If it’s "Hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex", we’ll see symptoms like a moon face. If "Primary aldosteronism", muscle spasm, numbness, and polyuria will be seen. So "Hyperfunction of the medulla" is correct because the adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and we know its function.