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OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose answer is malignant hyperthermia. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how malignant hyperthermia will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a disease is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each condition has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for malignant hyperthermia.
- Typically occurs introperatively/immediate post-operative period after the induction of anesthesia (inhaled medications).
- Can also occur after using succinylcholine
- Muscle rigidity present
- Fever: often high (above 104°F)
- Tachycardia and possibly other signs of hemodynamic instability
- Signs of rhabdomyolysis: elevated CK value, myoglobinuria
- Metabolic acidosis
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS CONDITION (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying condition. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the disease’s pathophysiology/management/clincial implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Treatment: Dantrolene. It is a direct muscle relaxant. This medication prevents calcium release form the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle by binding the ryanodine receptor.
Page Updated: 04.02.2017