In the postoperative period, the nurse recognizes that an early sign of malignant hyperthermia is:
1. Fever
2. Tachycardia
3. Muscle relaxation
4. Skin pallor
ANS: 2
Malignant hyperthermia should be suspected when there is unexpected tachycardia and tachyp-nea; jaw muscle rigidity; body rigidity of limbs, abdomen, and chest; or hyperkalemia. Tempera-ture elevation is a late sign of malignant hyperthermia. Muscle rigidity, not relaxation, is an early sign of malignant hyperthermia. Skin pallor is not an early sign of malignant hyperthermia. Skin pallor may be seen in the immediate postoperative period, because the body is cool.
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