A 25-year-old client is admitted for a tonsillectomy and informs the nurse of having had episodes of muscle cramps, weakness, and an unexplained temperature elevation. Many years ago, the client's father died shortly after surgery subsequent to developing a high fever. The surgeon has ordered dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) prophylactically prior to the tonsillectomy to reduce the risk of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is a peripheral skeletal muscle relaxant and would have no effect on a postoperative infection. Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is indicated prophylactically for clients with malignant hyperthermia or with a family history of the disorder. The mortality rate for malignant hyperthermia is high. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an exercise-induced muscle pain and spasm and is not related to malignant hyperthermia. Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) is a peripheral skeletal muscle relaxant and would have no effect on a postoperative fever.