Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Practice Exam

At what temperature should cooling interventions for a patient treated for Malignant Hyperthermia be discontinued?

1. 37.5 C

2. 38 C

3. 38.1 C

4. 39 C

The correct answer is: 38 C

The recommended threshold for discontinuing cooling interventions for a patient treated for Malignant Hyperthermia is 38 degrees Celsius. This temperature is significant because it indicates a return to a safe and stable physiological state after the acute crisis. Malignant Hyperthermia is a life-threatening reaction to certain anesthetic agents, leading to a rapid increase in body temperature and a hypermetabolic state. The primary focus in managing this condition includes aggressively cooling the patient to counteract the elevated body temperature. Continuous cooling is required until the patient reaches a normal, safe temperature. Stopping cooling interventions at 38 degrees Celsius ensures that the core temperature is adequately controlled and reduces the risk of rebound hyperthermia or other complications associated with abrupt cessation of cooling treatments. Therefore, maintaining a threshold of 38 degrees Celsius provides a balance between effective management of the hypermetabolic state and ensuring the patient is not under the risk of further complications from elevated body temperatures.