Which intervention should a nurse take when a patient shows signs of cyanide toxicity?

Which intervention should a nurse take when a patient shows signs of cyanide toxicity?

• A. Increase fluid intake
• B. Discontinue the nitroprusside infusion
• C. Change the infusion site
• D. Administer naloxone

Answer: (B)

Discontinuing the nitroprusside infusion is the appropriate intervention when a patient shows signs of cyanide toxicity. Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used to manage hypertensive emergencies, but it can release cyanide ions in the body, especially when administered at high doses or over prolonged periods. The signs of cyanide toxicity can include symptoms like confusion, headache, weakness, and possibly even systemic effects like decreased oxygen saturation due to impaired cellular metabolism. When these signs are evident, stopping the nitroprusside infusion helps to prevent further accumulation of cyanide by halting the source of the toxicity. Other interventions, although they might seem beneficial in other contexts, would not effectively address the underlying cause of cyanide toxicity in this scenario. For example, increasing fluid intake or changing the infusion site does not mitigate the toxicity itself, and naloxone, while useful in opioid overdoses, is not effective for cyanide toxicity. Therefore, the priority should always be to stop the administration of a drug that is causing or contributing to toxicity.

Discontinuing the nitroprusside infusion is the appropriate intervention when a patient shows signs of cyanide toxicity. Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used to manage hypertensive emergencies, but it can release cyanide ions in the body, especially when administered at high doses or over prolonged periods.

The signs of cyanide toxicity can include symptoms like confusion, headache, weakness, and possibly even systemic effects like decreased oxygen saturation due to impaired cellular metabolism. When these signs are evident, stopping the nitroprusside infusion helps to prevent further accumulation of cyanide by halting the source of the toxicity.

Other interventions, although they might seem beneficial in other contexts, would not effectively address the underlying cause of cyanide toxicity in this scenario. For example, increasing fluid intake or changing the infusion site does not mitigate the toxicity itself, and naloxone, while useful in opioid overdoses, is not effective for cyanide toxicity. Therefore, the priority should always be to stop the administration of a drug that is causing or contributing to toxicity.