A patient presents with malignant hyperthermia and metabolic acidosis. Immediate treatment should be started with:
**Core Concept**
Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening medical emergency triggered by certain anesthetics, leading to an uncontrolled increase in muscle metabolism and heat production. It is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and metabolic acidosis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The immediate treatment for malignant hyperthermia involves stopping the offending anesthetic and administering dantrolene, a muscle relaxant that inhibits calcium ion release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Dantrolene works by blocking the ryanodine receptor, which is responsible for the uncontrolled release of calcium ions in the muscle cells, thereby reducing muscle metabolism and heat production. This rapid intervention is crucial to prevent further damage and improve patient outcomes.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** **Haloperidol** is an antipsychotic medication that can exacerbate malignant hyperthermia by increasing muscle rigidity and heat production.
**Option B:** **Naloxone** is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid overdose, but it is not effective in treating malignant hyperthermia.
**Option C:** **Famotidine** is an H2 receptor antagonist used to treat peptic ulcers, and it has no role in the management of malignant hyperthermia.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Dantrolene is the only FDA-approved treatment for malignant hyperthermia, and it should be administered intravenously in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg every 5-10 minutes until symptoms resolve.
**Correct Answer: C. Dantrolene**