Hyperthermia

Question 1

What is the definition of hyperthemia?

Answer 1

A core body temperature > 38.3 degrees celsius (101 degrees F).

Question 2

What minimum body temperature is associated with heat stroke?

Answer 2

> 40 degrees (104 degrees F)

Question 3

What is the normal variability of body temperature in celsius?

Answer 3

Normal body temperature is approximately 37 degrees celsius with normal variability of 0.5 to 1 degree celsius.

Question 4

What are the clinical features of hyperthermia?

Answer 4

1. Hot, dry skin
2. N/V
3. Headache
4. Hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea
5. Syncope
6. MS changes, sz, coma

Question 5

What is the differential for hyperthemia?

Answer 5

1. Infection
2. Malignancy
3. Autoimmune
4. Non-infectious: MH, NMS, thyroid storm, drug-induced, pulmonary embolism, hepatitis, withdrawal from alcohol, opiates, or benzodiazepines
5. External heating

Question 6

What is the management of hyperthermia?

Answer 6

1. Verify temperature is real
2. Assess vital signs and mental status to determine urgency
3. Narrow differential diagnosis
4. Supportive measures as required
5. Pharmacologic intervention as necessary based on etiology (e.g. abx, tylenol, chemo)
6. If infection or malignancy consider various imaging modalities and tests (e.g., PPD, CT scan, TEE/TTE, LP, bone marrow bx, etc