MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA

 Updated 3/24

 Dear nurses,

The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available. Please 
click on the links below for updated information:
The purpose of anesthesia

Hope you had a good week. This week I have tried to simplify
Malignant hyperthermia. This is a rare, but life-threatening form
of hyperthermia.

Certain inhaled anesthetic gases like Halothane, Desflurane and
Sevoflurane may trigger this condition. Muscle relaxants like
Succinylcholine(Anectine)may also be responsible.

The standards of care are an essential part of  the
Nursing profession. It provides guidelines within a
framework of practices.

Learn more about : The standards of care

Learn more about : Nursing communication

PCA ( Patient Controlled Analgesia)

Patient Controlled Analgesia may be ordered by
the doctor for the patient who is awake, alert and
able to self medicate. This method of administering
pain medication , is done via a pump, through the
intravenous route. Dosages are decided by the doctor.

However, patient and family teaching should be
included in the care plan. It is not uncommon for
family members to press the pain button for the
patient. Sessions 12 gives an overview of pain
assessment.

Indications for the use of the PCA pump include:

- patients who have surgical intervention

- patients with cancer or chronic pain issues

- conditions such as pancreatitis, sickle cell 

  anemia and more.

The Numerical Pain Scale is a useful tool when
assessing pain. It is based on a scale of 0-10.

A ladder starts from the ground and escalates to|
the highest point, so does pain start from 0-10.

It is important to do a pain assessment after pain
medication has been given. See image for more
information.

Nursing communication skills - Part 1

Nursing communication skills - Part 2