A nurse is reviewing nursing actions for emergency treatment of malignant hyperthermia with a group of nursing students. Which statement by a student indicates a need for further teaching?

Question

a. "Analgesics should be given to help with muscle pain."
b. "Dantrolene helps to slow the metabolic activity in skeletal muscles."
c. "If malignant hyperthermia occurs, the succinylcholine must be stopped imme-diately."
d. "The patient may need an intravenous in-fusion of cold saline."

Answer 1

A
Malignant hyperthermia is a rare but potentially fatal adverse reaction that can be triggered by succinylcholine. Muscle pain is an expected adverse effect of succinylcholine that is thought to be caused by the muscle contractions that occur during induction and does not indicate malignant hyperthermia; analgesics can be given, but this effect usually occurs 10 to 12 hours after the procedure and is not an emergency. Dantrolene is given because it slows metabolic activity in skeletal muscles, resulting in decreased heat production. Succinylcholine should be stopped immediately if malignant hyperthermia occurs. Cold saline, given intravenously, often is necessary to lower a patient's temperature.