Final answer:
The perioperative nurse should alert the anesthesia professional and initiate treatment for malignant hyperthermia, which includes administering dantrolene, stopping all triggering agents, and actively cooling the patient. Protocols during surgery ensure emergency readiness, differentiating from controlled hypothermia used to protect organs during surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening clinical syndrome triggered by certain anesthetic agents in susceptible individuals. In the event that a patient exhibits signs of malignant hyperthermia, the perioperative nurse plays a crucial role in the management of this medical emergency. The first action the nurse should take is to alert the anesthesia professional and the surgical team immediately. The team must act swiftly to administer dantrolene, a muscle relaxant specifically used to treat malignant hyperthermia. Additionally, the nurse should assist in discontinuing all triggering agents, increase oxygen delivery, and initiate cooling measures to lower body temperature. Cooled intravenous fluids, ice packs, and cooling blankets may be used as physical cooling methods. The patient should be monitored closely for metabolic and hemodynamic stability, and the care team should continuously re-evaluate the patient’s condition.
Awareness and adherence to protocols during critical situations are vital. Protocols such as the 'Time out' and 'Sign in' procedures help confirm the readiness and safety of both the patient and the surgical team before proceeding with surgery. These protocols include the confirmation of emergency equipment and readiness for potential complications such as malignant hyperthermia.
It is important to differentiate between controlled hypothermia, which is a medical procedure used in certain surgeries to reduce organ damage by slowing the metabolic rate, and malignant hyperthermia. The perioperative nurse’s knowledge and preparedness can make a significant difference in outcomes for a patient experiencing malignant hyperthermia.