A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient who has a family ...

[captainjonesify]

A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient who has a family history of malignant hyperthermia. Which findings would be of most concern to the nurse?
 
  1. Mild spasms of the patient's jaw muscles
  2. Dark urine 3 hours after surgery
  3. Tachycardia in the first hour after surgery
  4. Temperature elevation 3 hours after the procedure
  5. Respiratory rate increase to 18 breaths per minute 2 hours after the procedure

Question 2

A patient undergoing surgery is receiving general anesthesia as well as a neuromuscular blocking agent. Which statement best indicates the primary reason for the neuromuscular blocking agent?
 
  1. To potentiate analgesic effects
  2. To prevent adverse effects associated with inhaled gases
  3. To cause total skeletal muscle relaxation
  4. To induce unconsciousness

[alvinum]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Mild jaw spasms often herald the development of malignant hyperthermia.
Rationale 2: Darkened urine may signify rhabdomyolysis, which occurs with malignant hyperthermia.
Rationale 3: Tachycardia is a potential herald of malignant hyperthermia.
Rationale 4: Temperature elevation more than 2 hours after anesthesia is not a precursor of malignant hyperthermia.
Rationale 5: Respiratory rate may increase as anesthesia passes, but this is a rate still within normal ranges.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The primary purpose of administering neuromuscular blocking agents is to cause total skeletal muscle relaxation. Neuromuscular blocking agents do not potentiate analgesia or induce unconsciousness. They do allow for lower amounts of anesthetics to be used, which can reduce adverse effects, but this is not the primary reason.

[captainjonesify]

Thanks

[alvinum]

Welcome