Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening genetic condition that can be triggered by certain anesthetic agents and leads to a hypermetabolic state in skeletal muscles. This condition is characterized by several physiological changes that occur in response to exposure to these triggers.

Hypercarbia, or an increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood, typically occurs as the body’s metabolism escalates during an episode of malignant hyperthermia. Tachycardia, an elevated heart rate, is also a common reaction due to the increased metabolic activity and compensation for increased oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production. Additionally, tachypnea, or rapid breathing, often occurs as the body attempts to manage elevated carbon dioxide levels and provide more oxygen to meet the heightened metabolic needs.

In contrast, hypotension, defined as low blood pressure, is not a direct reaction associated with malignant hyperthermia. While systemic factors could contribute to changes in blood pressure, the typical initial physiological responses to malignant hyperthermia—such as hypercarbia, tachycardia, and tachypnea—do not directly include hypotension as a characteristic or expected outcome. Therefore, recognizing these differences is essential for understanding how the body responds during an episode of malignant hyperthermia.