A patient has a family history of anesthesia fever. This history indicates an increased risk for which condition?

• A. Malignant hyperthermia
• B. Serotonin syndrome
• C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• D. Malaria

Answer: (A)

A family history of anesthesia-induced fever points to malignant hyperthermia. This is a hereditary, life-threatening reaction that occurs in susceptible individuals when exposed to certain anesthetic agents, particularly volatile inhaled anesthetics and the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. In those with the genetic predisposition, these triggers cause an uncontrolled release of calcium from the muscle cell stores, leading to a hypermetabolic crisis. The body rapidly generates heat and CO2, muscles become rigid, heart rate and temperature rise, and there can be acidosis and even muscle breakdown. Knowing there is a family history signals a higher risk, so clinicians take precautions to avoid triggering agents and be ready to treat promptly with dantrolene and supportive measures.

Serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome can cause high fever and systemic illness, but they are related to serotonergic drugs or antipsychotics, not to anesthetic triggers or a family history. Malaria causes fever from infection, not from anesthesia exposure or hereditary risk.