MH Basics
This genetic disorder causes a hypermetabolic reaction to certain anesthesia medications.
What is Malignant Hyperthermia?
This depolarizing neuromuscular blocker is a known MH trigger.
What is succinylcholine?
This cardiac symptom commonly appears early in MH.
What is tachycardia?
The immediate first step after recognizing MH is to discontinue these medications.
What are triggering anesthetic agents?
This emergency cart should be immediately brought to the bedside during a suspected MH crisis.
What is the MH cart?
A patient with a family history of MH should alert healthcare providers before undergoing this type of procedure.
What is surgery requiring anesthesia?
True or False: Propofol is a trigger for MH.
What is false.
Despite the name, this symptom is often a late sign of MH.
What is hyperthermia (rapidly rising temperature)
This medication is the antidote for MH.
What is dantrolene?
After stabilization, patients are typically transferred to this location for continued monitoring.
What is the ICU?
MH primarily affects this type of tissue.
What is skeletal muscle?
True or False: Nitrous oxide is considered a triggering agent for malignant hyperthermia
What is false.
One of the earliest and most sensitive indicators of MH is a rapid increase in this monitored value.
What is end-tidal CO₂ (ETCO₂)?
This cooling intervention may be used when the patient's temperature rises significantly.
What are ice packs, cooling blankets, or chilled IV fluids?
This laboratory value is monitored because rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney injury.
What is creatinine (or renal function tests)?
This dangerous electrolyte abnormality may occur due to muscle breakdown during MH.
What is hyperkalemia?
This inhaled anesthetic agent can trigger MH.
What is sevoflurane? (Accept desflurane, isoflurane, or halothane.)
This classic muscle finding may occur after administration of succinylcholine.
What is masseter muscle rigidity?
This organization maintains the MH hotline and provides MH treatment resources.
What is MHAUS (Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States)?
During an MH event, nurses should anticipate frequent monitoring of ETCO₂, temperature, electrolytes, ABGs, and this heart-monitoring modality.
What is continuous ECG/cardiac monitoring?
The prevalence of MH-susceptibility in cesarean deliveries.
What is approximately 1 in 125,000
This substance is not a drug but can still trigger an MH crisis if it remains in an inadequately prepared anesthesia machine.
What is residual volatile anesthetic vapor?
Elevated potassium levels resulting from muscle breakdown can cause this dangerous cardiac complication.
What is dysrhythmia/cardiac arrest?
Dantrolene works by reducing the release of this ion from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle.
What is calcium?
This blood gas finding commonly develops due to the hypermetabolic state of MH.
What is metabolic and/or respiratory acidosis?