Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

Which condition may produce reactions similar to malignant hyperthermia?

1. Allergy to anesthesia

2. Sepsis

3. Acid-base disorder

4. Myocardial infarction

The correct answer is: Allergy to anesthesia

The condition that may produce reactions similar to malignant hyperthermia is an allergy to anesthesia. When a patient has an allergic reaction to anesthesia, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, some of which may mimic those of malignant hyperthermia. These can include increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure, and elevated temperature, all of which are central features of malignant hyperthermia as well. Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening condition triggered by certain anesthetic agents and is characterized by rapid rise in body temperature and severe muscle contractions. The similarities in the physiological responses, such as hypermetabolic state and potential cardiovascular instability, can make it difficult to differentiate between an allergic reaction and malignant hyperthermia during intraoperative monitoring. In contrast, other conditions listed do not typically produce the same profile of symptoms or reach the same urgency of reactions associated with malignant hyperthermia. For instance, while sepsis can present with elevated temperatures and cardiovascular changes, the mechanisms and the clinical context leading to these symptoms differ from those seen in malignant hyperthermia. Acid-base disorders and myocardial infarction also present distinct symptomatology, thus further emphasizing the uniqueness of allergic reactions to anesthetics in this context.