1: Fever without Focus Flashcards
What percent of childhood fevers have no apparent cause?
20%
Who is at the greatest risk of having a serious bacterial infection in the case of a fever without focus?
Febrile infants and children younger than 36 months
T/F Consider fever documented at home by a reliable parent or caregiver the same as fever found upon presentation.
True
T/F Parents are often poor historians and reports of maximum temperatures should not be accepted without clinical confirmation.
False. Accept parental reports of maximum temperature.
T/F If an infant has been excessively bundled and repeat temperature taken 15-30 minutes after unbundling is normal, the infant should be considered afebrile.
True
T/F Always remember that normal or low temperature precludes serious, life-threatening, infectious disease.
False. Always remember that normal or low temperature does not preclude serious, even life-threatening, infectious disease.
Why is a family hx of a previous death in a young infant from infection important?
It can be suspicious for congenital anomalies and primary immunodeficiencies.
In 3 months to 3 years assessment hx, which immunizations are important?
Check for incomplete immunization to Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae type b.
What is particularly important when assessing young children and infants?
Pay particular attention to assessing hydration status and identifying the source of infection.
What is the standard for temperature location in infants and young children?
Rectal. Temperature obtained via tympanic, axillary, or oral methods may not truly reflect the patient’s temperature.
What is a sensitive predictor of pulmonary infection in patients of all ages, especially in infants and young children?
Pulse Ox
When is it mandatory to get a pulse ox with a sick child?
- Abnormal lung examination findings
- Respiratory symptoms
- Abnormal respiratory rate
What are alternatives to an actual weight in emergency situations?
Estimating methods: Broselow tape, weight based on age.
Toxic appearance is associated with what?
- Lethargy
- Poor perfusion
- Hypoventilation
- Hyperventilation
- Cyanosis (Shock)
What are petechial or purpuric rashes associated with?
Bacteremia. Purpura is associated more often with meningococcemia than is the presence of petechiae alone.
This is a reliable method for determining degree of illness.
Yale Observation Scale
What 6 variables are considered in the Yale Observation Scale?
- Quality of cry
- Reaction to parent stimulation
- State variation
- Color
- Hydration
- Response
What score on the Yale Observational Scale indicates a 92% risk of serious bacterial infection?
16+