Toxicology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 17-year-old boy develops rapidly increasing core temperature (40.2°C), generalized muscle rigidity, and tachycardia (HR 142/min) shortly after induction of general anesthesia with succinylcholine and sevoflurane. His blood pressure is 156/94 mmHg, respiratory rate 28/min, and arterial blood gas shows hypercapnia (PaCO2 68 mmHg) with metabolic acidosis. Serum creatinine kinase is markedly elevated at 8,500 U/L. He has no known prior anesthetic complications. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment?
Answer choices
- ACyproheptadine
- BDantroleneCorrect answer
- CNaloxone
- DAtropine
- EBromocriptine
- FSuccinylcholine continuation with neuromuscular monitoring
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.