Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

What occurs to potassium levels in burn patients and those with tissue trauma when succinylcholine is administered?

1. Decrease potassium levels

2. No effect on potassium levels

3. Increase potassium levels

4. Stabilize potassium levels

The correct answer is: Increase potassium levels

When succinylcholine is administered, especially in burn patients and individuals with significant tissue trauma, there is a notable rise in potassium levels in the bloodstream. This is primarily due to the drug's mechanism of action as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker, which mimics acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. In the context of burn injuries or tissue damage, there can be a disruption in the normal cellular membrane integrity, leading to an efflux of potassium ions from the intracellular space to the extracellular space. This is exacerbated when succinylcholine is used, as the drug causes muscle fasciculations and subsequent depolarization, promoting further potassium release from damaged tissues. The rise in potassium levels can be particularly concerning in these patient populations because it can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition where elevated potassium causes disturbances in cardiac rhythm and can lead to severe complications. Thus, monitoring potassium levels becomes critical when administering succinylcholine in patients with burns or significant tissue injuries.