Malignant hyperthermia
NCLEX-RN glossary · Physiological Adaptation
Definition
A life-threatening hereditary reaction to volatile anesthetics or succinylcholine, marked by hypercarbia, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia.
Malignant hyperthermia in plain English
This is a surgical emergency requiring immediate removal of triggering agents and the administration of dantrolene to reverse hypermetabolism. The tempting mistake is misidentifying early tachycardia as simple postoperative pain or anxiety rather than a metabolic emergency signal.
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