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A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following administration of general anesthesia.

Exhibits

Select from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's progress.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is []

Condition Most Likely Experiencing: Malignant Hyperthermia

The client's tachycardia (HR 134/min), tachypnea (RR 28/min), hypotension (BP 92/52 mm Hg), and hypoxia (SpO₂ 89%) are key signs of malignant hyperthermia (MH), a life-threatening reaction to general anesthesia.
While hyperthermia (elevated temperature) is a late sign, the presence of early indicators like tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypoxia strongly suggests MH.
Incorrect choices:
- Paralytic ileus (A): This is a possible secondary complication but not the primary issue.
- Nausea and vomiting (B): Common post-op symptoms, but they don’t explain the severe vitals.
- Hypercapnia (C): The client is hyperventilating, not hypoventilating.
- Latex allergy (E): No signs of urticaria, anaphylaxis, or bronchospasm, which would indicate a latex allergy.

Correct Answer: Malignant hyperthermia

Two Actions to Take:

Administer dantrolene (C)
- Dantrolene is the only effective antidote for MH. It directly relaxes skeletal muscles and stops the uncontrolled muscle metabolism that drives the crisis.
Monitor muscle rigidity (E)
- Muscle rigidity is a hallmark sign of MH, especially in the jaw and upper body. The nurse must monitor for worsening rigidity as an indicator of disease progression.

Incorrect choices:
- Obtain the latex-free cart (A): There is no indication of a latex allergy.
- Administer ondansetron (B): Useful for nausea and vomiting but does not address MH.
- Insert an NG tube (D): Might be needed for paralytic ileus but is not a priority in treating MH.

Correct Answers: Administer dantrolene, Monitor muscle rigidity

Two Parameters to Monitor:

Bowel sounds (C)
- Paralytic ileus can develop as a secondary complication of MH due to decreased blood flow to the intestines during the crisis. Monitoring bowel sounds helps detect this issue early.
Muscle rigidity (E)
- Since sustained muscle contractions are a key feature of MH, tracking muscle rigidity helps assess whether the crisis is worsening or improving.

Incorrect choices:
- Blood pressure (A): While important, it is not a specific marker for MH progression.
- Urine output (B): Useful for assessing kidney function but not directly related to MH management.
- Skin integrity (D): Not a priority in this emergency.

Correct Answers: Bowel sounds, Muscle rigidity

Summary of Correct Answers:

Condition Most Likely Experiencing: Malignant hyperthermia
Two Actions to Take: Administer dantrolene, Monitor muscle rigidity
Two Parameters to Monitor: Bowel sounds, Muscle rigidity

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

A. Tinnitus can occur with MS but is not an emergency.
B. Tachycardia may indicate autonomic dysfunction or infection, which could require urgent intervention.
C. Fever is concerning because infections can exacerbate MS symptoms and trigger relapses.
D. Paresthesia is a common MS symptom and does not require immediate reporting unless it significantly worsens.
E. Tremors are an expected MS symptom and are not urgent.

A. Alert and oriented B. chest pain described as pressure and tightness that is unrelieved with rest C. Radial and pedal pulses 2+ D. Capillary refill 2 seconds E. Rapid and shallow breaths F. Clear breath sounds throughout bilateral lungs G. 7 on a 0 to 10 scale, tightness and pressure in chest

Correct Answer is ["B","E","G"]

Explanation

Chest pain described as pressure and tightness that is unrelieved with rest: Chest pain that is described as tightness and pressure, particularly when unrelieved by rest, is a classic presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which includes conditions such as unstable angina or myocardial infarction (MI). This is a red flag symptom, as it indicates a need for immediate medical attention to rule out life-threatening conditions like MI, which can be fatal without timely intervention.

Rapid shallow breaths: Rapid and shallow breathing can be a response to acute pain, particularly in a situation involving cardiovascular stress. It may be indicative of the body's attempt to compensate for inadequate oxygenation due to cardiac ischemia, hypoxia, or anxiety.

Pain 7/10, tightness and pressure in the chest: A pain rating of 7/10 demands immediate evaluation and management, as it could indicate an evolving cardiovascular event. Moreover, tightness and pressure are specific descriptors of pain seen in ischemic heart disease, where there is reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to discomfort due to oxygen deprivation.

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Summary of Correct Answers:

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Correct Answer is ["B","C"]

Explanation

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Explanation

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