Penn Foster Anesthesia Practice Exam

The role of dantrolene in treating malignant hyperthermia primarily involves its ability to restore calcium balance within the muscle cells. Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain anesthetic agents that leads to an uncontrolled release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells, resulting in a hypermetabolic state, increased muscle contraction, and a dramatic rise in body temperature.

Dantrolene acts by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, effectively reducing the calcium levels in the muscle cells. This action directly counteracts the increased muscle contraction and metabolic activity seen in malignant hyperthermia. By restoring normal calcium balance, dantrolene mitigates the symptoms of malignant hyperthermia, lowers muscle rigidity, and decreases the risk of complications associated with the hypermetabolic state.

While muscle relaxation and respiratory function are important aspects of anesthesia management, these are not the specific mechanisms by which dantrolene operates in the context of malignant hyperthermia. Additionally, enhancing oxygen delivery may be an important part of overall patient care during such crises, but dantrolene's primary and significant action is the restoration of calcium balance, making it a critical treatment in this emergency.