A body temperature of 39° Centigrade is equivalent to a Fahrenheit temperature of (in nearest degrees):

Appeared in: GMCH - 2016

Explanation

The correct formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is °F = (°C × 1.8) + 32.
Substituting 39°C into the formula gives: (39 × 1.8) + 32.
The calculation results in 70.2 + 32 = 102.2°F.
When rounded to the nearest whole degree as requested by the question, 102.2°F becomes 102°F.

Option A: A temperature of 99°F is approximately 37.2°C. This is only a slight elevation above normal and does not correspond to 39°C.
Option B: A temperature of 100°F is approximately 37.8°C. This represents a low-grade fever but is significantly lower than the 39°C given in the question.
Option C: A temperature of 101°F is approximately 38.3°C. While this is a fever, it is not the correct conversion for 39°C.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Conversion of temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be proficient in converting between Celsius and Fahrenheit as different healthcare facilities may use different scales. Accurate conversion is critical for assessing fever and making appropriate clinical decisions.
A temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) is considered a moderate fever, indicating a significant response from the body, likely due to infection or inflammation, and requires careful monitoring.
What if? If the patient's temperature was 37°C, the Fahrenheit equivalent would be (37 × 1.8) + 32 = 98.6°F, which is considered a normal body temperature. This highlights how different Celsius values correspond to different clinical states (normal vs. fever).

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core task from the question, which is to convert a temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
Recall the standard formula for this conversion: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 or °F = (°C × 1.8) + 32.
Substitute the given value (39°C) into the formula.
Perform the calculation: (39 × 1.8) + 32 = 70.2 + 32 = 102.2.
Read the question carefully to see how to present the final answer. It asks for the 'nearest degree'.
Round the calculated value (102.2°F) to the nearest whole number, which is 102°F.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 118-120

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 175-177

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 11-13

Practise the full GMCH - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.