jenny nguyen 2016, RN

Jenny Nguyen, PACU, RN most likely saved the life of a post-op patient from the uncommon complication from anesthesia called "Malignant Hypothermia". To date, there have been only 2 cases known at OCMMC. To recognize this complication is above and beyond a PACU nurse job description, because the anesthesiologist would recognize it first before a nurse. Upon arrival of the patient in PACU, Jenny noted that there was something not right with the patient. After a further assessment, she called the anesthesiologist immediately to inform him that his patient might be exhibiting signs and symptoms of Malignant Hypothermia which include shaking, fever, tachycardia etc. The anesthesiologist was questioning her assessment, but Jenny insisted that he needed to come back as he had already left the building. This anesthesiologist finally got another anesthesiologist to come and check the patient and it was determined that the patient was having Malignant Hypothermia. Immediate treatment in the form of Dantrolene was given and the patient was transferred to ICU after which he progressed well until discharged to home from the floor.