Respiratory: Fever Flashcards
Thermoregulation
Highest late afternoon/early evening
Regulated by hypothalamus, response to pyrogen (possibly shorten duration of infection)
Important questions to ask regarding fever?
ask pt if they’ve taken any meds to lower fever when taking temp
Hyperthermia
Heat stroke
point where hypothalamic set point does not change but heat production exceeds capacity of body to dissipate it
Hyperthermia symptoms
Hot dry skin CNS dysfunction Delirium Convulsions Coma
Serious damage can occur when temp >41C/ 105.8F
Causes of fever
Infection = most common
Medications (some Antibiotics, CV drugs, CNS agents, Chemo)
Oral thermometer
Not recommended children <4
Wait 15 min after eating/drinking to measure oral temp
Rectal Thermometer
About 0.7-0.9F higher than oral
Most accurate method in children <4
Closer to core temp
Axillary Thermometer
About 1F lower than other methods
Not as accurate as other
If >99, recheck w/ another method to confirm
Tympanic Thermometer
about 1.4 F higher than oral
ok for children >6 month
Temporal Thermometer
Convenient
Must be used correctly for accuracy
When is someone no eligible for self care with fever?
<6 months and temp >101
>6 months and temp >104
Signs/symptoms of sever infection or hyperthermia
Comorbidies: COPD, HIV, Chemo etc
Non-pharmacological Treatment for Fever
1-2oz children or 3-4oz adults fluid per hour
Tylenol Fever Dosing Pediatrics
Formulation: 160mg/5ml
Dose: 10-15mg/kg po per dose every 4-6hrs PRN, max 5 doses/day
Tylenol Fever Dosing Adults
650mg PO every 4-6hrs PRN
MAX: 3250mg/day
Ibuprofen Fever Dosing Pediatrics
Formulation: 100mg/5ml
Dose: 10mg/kg PO per dose every 6-8hrs PRN, max 4 doses per day
Do not use in infants < 6 months
