The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of the nursing professionals in a surgical center about malignant hyperthermia. This is a descriptive exploratory study on malignant hyperthermia conducted with mid- and high-level nursing professionals in the surgical center of an institution located in the city of São Paulo, where the research was conducted between August and September 2013. Analysis of the data was descriptive and the average of the correct answers was compared using Student's t-test. Among the 96 participants, the two items in which at least 70% of the team showed knowledge were: the definition of malignant hyperthermia and the professionals involved in the health care provided. With respect to all test items, 70% of nurses answered 50% correctly. The same percentage of mid-level professionals answered only 20% correctly. There was no statistically significant difference between the professional categories. This study revealed insufficient knowledge on the part of the nursing team about malignant hyperthermia.
Malignant hyperthermia; Perioperative nursing; Evidence-based nursing