Malignant Hyperthermia
Signs/Symptoms
Sudden elevated temperature
Increased Carbon Dioxide, decreased oxygen
saturation level
dysrhythmias, muscle rigidity
Tachycardia, Hypertension
Hypertensive crisis
increasing temperature sometimes as
high as 107 F
Increased Heart rate
Increased muscle contractions
Medications
IV Dantrolene
Antipyretics
Nursing Interventions
Assist w/ termination of surgery & administer
IV Dalantrene muscle relaxant. Infuse iced IV 0.9%
sodium chloride
Administer 100% O2 & gather
specimens for ABG & blood to monitor
for hypokalemia
Apply cooling blanket and ice
Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat dysrhythmias
Insert indwelling urinary catheter to monitor output & for myoglobinuria
Pathology
uncontrolled rise of mycoplastmic
calcium which activates a biochemical process related to muscle activation
Primarily involves skelatal
muscle tissue
exposure to volatile inhaled
anesthetic agents
Risk Factors
Family History of Malignant
Hyperthermia
History of event thought to be
Malignant Hyperthermia
Positive Genetic Tests