While in the holding area, a patient reveals to the nurse that his father had a high fever after surgery. What action by the nurse is a priority?
a. Place a medical alert sticker on the front of the patient's chart.
b. Alert the anesthesia care provider of the family member's reaction to surgery.
c. Reassure the patient that there will be close monitoring during and after surgery.
d. Administer 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) per rectum as a preventive measure.
ANS: B
The anesthesia care provider (ACP) needs to be notified and made aware of the patient's family history in regards to anesthesia reactions. Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a valid concern because the patient's father appears to have had a reaction to surgery. The ACP needs to be notified immediately, rather than waiting for a sticker to be noticed on the chart. Administering acetaminophen may not prevent MH. General anesthesia can be administered to patients with MH as long as precautions to avoid MH are taken and preparations are made to treat MH if it does occur.
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