Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

Dantrolene Sodium is the drug of choice to treat which condition?

1. Hypocalcemia

2. Malignant hyperthermia

3. Severe allergic reaction

4. Cardiac arrest

The correct answer is: Malignant hyperthermia

Dantrolene Sodium is recognized as the drug of choice for treating malignant hyperthermia, a rare but life-threatening condition that typically occurs during or after the administration of certain anesthetics. Malignant hyperthermia is characterized by a rapid increase in metabolic rate and a subsequent rise in body temperature, muscle rigidity, and acidosis, usually triggered by exposure to specific anesthetic agents like halothane or succinylcholine. Dantrolene works by directly inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscles, which helps to control the excessive muscle contraction and reduces heat production. This action is critical in mitigating the hypermetabolic state that is central to malignant hyperthermia. Early recognition and treatment with dantrolene are vital, as they can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications associated with this condition. While the other conditions listed may require urgent treatment, they are not specifically treated with dantrolene. For example, hypocalcemia would typically be managed with calcium supplements, severe allergic reactions might be treated with epinephrine, and cardiac arrest generally requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced cardiac life support protocols. Each of these conditions depends on entirely different pharmac