Exam 1 - Fever overview Flashcards
What route provides the most accurate temperature measurement in children under three years of age (esp under 12 months)?
Rectal temperature (although most invasive)
True/false: Oral temperatures are less accurate than axillary temperatures
False - oral temperatures are MORE accurate than axillary temperatures
- Used for older children (>3 years)
Does the infared or temporal artery method have a lower sensitivity when measuring temperature in children?
Tympanic has lower sensitivity
Temperatures under ___ F do not cause brain damage
107.6 F
What provides a stronger indicator of a serious bacterial infection (SBI) than the degree of temperature elevation?
The general appearance of the child/infant
What should not be used to differentiate a serious vs. non serious illness?
Response to antipyretics
Components of the patient history that should be asked during the patient interview (for pediatric fevers)
- Onset of fever and how it was measured at home
- Activity level before and during illness
- Eating and drinking before and during illness
- How does the child appear to the caregiver?
- Medical history and medications
- Ill contacts
- Recent travel
- Immunizations
Components of ROS that should be included when assessing a pediatric patient with fever
- Rash
- Skin color
- Cough
- N/V/D
- Blood or mucous in stool
- Respiratory distress
- Urine output
Physical exam: skin (what to assess)
- Cap refill
- Skin color
- Rash (does it blanch?)
- Soft tissue infection
Physical exam: HEENT (what to assess)
- Check fontanels
- Conjunctivitis
- Ears
- Mouth/throat
- Nasal discharge
Physical exam: respiratory (what to assess)
- Work of breathing
- Cough
- Prescence of adventitious sounds
Physical exam: cardiac (what to assess)
HR for tachycardia
Physical exam: abdomen (what to assess)
- Omphalitis - infection of umbilical stump
- Any tenderness or mass
Physical exam: joints (what to assess)
- Redness
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Decreased ROM
