Week 1 - Pediatric Fever Flashcards
Temperature of a fever
>= 100.4F or 38C
Accurate temperature measurement in children
Rectal thermometer in children < 3 y.o.
Oral thermometer in children > 5 y.o.
Axillary, temporal, tympanic thermometers are less accurate
Time of day when core temperature is lowest
AM; 0400-0800
Time of day when core body temperature peaks
Early PM; 1600-1800
Age stratification
Neonates?
0-28 days (4 weeks)
Age stratification
Young infants?
29 - 90 days (approx 3 months)
Age stratification
Young child?
91 days to <= 36 months
Normal rectal temperature range
- 9-100.2F
(36. 6-37.9C)
Goal of fever
mechanism utilized by the body in fighting infection–retards reproduction of bacteria and viruses; enhances neutrophil production and T-lymphocyte proliferation; aids in body’s acute reaction
T/F Degree of fever correlates with severity of illness
False. The general appearance is a stronger indicator. So a low temperature does not negate a serious bacterial illness.
Goal of fever mgmt
Improve child’s comfort so they can follow plan of care
Physiology of fever
Infection induces macrophages to release cytokines that function as endogenous pyrogens to circulate to anterior hypothalamus; the hypothalamus then increases the levels of prostaglandin E2 which raises the core temperature set point
Fever mgmt recs: When?
Utilize when temp is > 102F (likely bacterial) or persistently > 101F
Fever mgmt recs: How?
- Non-pharmacological -
- hydration
- appropriate clothing and ambient temp
- tepid water baths for temp > 104F
- Do not allow shivering
- Never use alcohol or ice baths
- Pharm mgmt -
- acetaminophen 10-15 mg/kg/dose q 4-6 hours (FIRST LINE)
- ibuprofen (children age 6+ months)
- Temp < 102.5F: 5 mg/kg/dose q 6-8 hours
- Temp >=102.5F: 10 mg/kg/dose q6-8 hrs
- Naproxen - not good -
- alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen may increase risk of med error/toxicity
- avoid ASA!!
Causes of fever in neonates (2)
Congenital or acquired infections, i.e. 1) late onset group B strep, or 2) acquired 2/2 anatomic or physiologic dysfunction, i.e. renal
Causes of fever in all children (11)
- bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infections
- vaccines
- biologic agents
- tissue damage
- malignancy - neoplasms
- drugs
- collagen-vascular disorders
- endocrine disorders
- inflammatory disorders - teething
- environmental - heat stroke
- if temp > 105.8F - likely CNS dysfunction such as malignant hyperthermia, drug fever, heat stroke
What age group who presents with a fever requires an automatic sepsis work-up including blood cx and empiric antibiotic therapy initiation?
Any young infant < 3 months/90 days
Definition of fever without a focus
An acute febrile illness < 5 days in which the etiology of the fever is not apparent after careful history and physical examination of a child less than 24 months of age
Most infants < 90 days have causative agent as ________, however, still need to rule out _____ disease so require a _____ work-up.
- Viral
- Bacterial
- Sepsis
Birth - 24 months: Greatest risk of unsuspected occult bacteremia w/ E. coli. What are common SBIs? (3)
- UTI
- PNA
- bacteremia
Any child < 36 months who is ill-appearing should have the following tests…(10)
- CBC w/diff
- Glucose
- CRP
- PCT
- blood cultures
- CSF testing
- UA and culture
- CXR
- Stool cx if diarrhea with blood or mucus in stool
- If in season, rapid testing for influenza/RSV/enterovirus
Red Flags - Infants who need to be admitted to the hospital (16)
- Prematurity
- Underlying health conditions
- Parents are unreliable historians and/or caretakers
- Ill or toxic-appearing
- Skin color is ashen, blue, mottled, or pale
- Lethargic, weak
- High-pitched cry, decreased response
- Poor feeding
- tachypnea or tachycardia
- Chest/abdominal retractions
- Petechiae
- Seizure
- Capillary refill > 3 seconds
- decrease UOP
- Bulging fontanel
- Non-blanching skin rash
Subjective data – Associated symptoms - all children (7)
- Current level of activity/lethargy
- Activity level prior to fever onset
- Current eating and drinking pattern
- Eating or drinking pattern prior to fever onset
- Apperance
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Urinary output
Subjective data - Social History - very young children (29-90 days) (5)
- Ill contacts
- Recent travel history of child and household contacts
- Exposure to animals, kitty litter
- Vaccination status of household members
- Identify household members: primary caregiver, exposure to recent immigrants, homelessness and poverty
Subjective data - Past Medical History of very young children (29-90 days) (3)
- Chronic illness
- Perinatal infection
- Congenital anomalies
Subjective data - Family history - very young children (29-90 days) (2)
- Mother’s medical history, e.g. HIV+ 2. Genetic illness
Subjective data - Current medications - all children (2)
- Immunization history (esp. recent immunizations)
- Meds used to treat fever, illness
ROS (7 areas)
- General appearance
- HEENT - conjunctivitis, swollen nodes, ear pain
3, Respiratory - RR, wheezing, crackles, retractions, cough, shortness of breath
- Cardiac - HR, chest pain
- GI - appetite, wt. loss, n/v/d
- GU - voiding pain, frequency
- Neuro - any changes in LOC, activity level
Objective Data - all children (3)
- Vital signs - BP, HR, RR, rectal/oral temp, percentiles
- Weight - kg
- Broselow tape
Physical Exam - VERY YOUNG CHILDREN (29 DAYS-90 DAYS) (9 areas)
- General - toxic appearing? consolable?
- Integumentary - rash? Petechiae? Skin color?
- HEENT - reddened TM, otitis media, pharyngitis, strep throat, gingival stomatitis
- Respiratory - bronchiolitis, croup, crackles, wheezing
- GI - rigid, board-like abdomen
- GU - male circumcision
- MSK - decreased ROM
- Neuro - nuchal rigidity, neurologic exam
- Psychiatric
Subjective data - Past Medical History of Neonates
- Prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal history
- Intrapartum fever
- Maternal strep group B status
4, Postnatal care
- Family hx of death of young infant from infection - any anomalies? immunodeficiency?
Physical Exam - Neonates (3 areas)
Hands-off or Pediatric assessment triangle:
- General appearance and level of interaction
- Work of breathing
- Circulation to skin