A nurse measures a patient's temperature at 102°F, what is the equivalent centigrade temperature?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

The correct formula to convert Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C) is C = (F - 32) × 5/9.
Substituting 102°F into the formula gives: C = (102 - 32) × 5/9.
The calculation proceeds as: C = 70 × 5/9, which equals 350/9.
This results in approximately 38.89°C, which is rounded to 38.9°C.

Option A: A temperature of 40.1°C is equivalent to 104.2°F, which is a higher grade of fever than the 102°F measured.
Option C: A temperature of 48°C is equivalent to 118.4°F. This is an extremely high, life-threatening temperature (hyperpyrexia) and is far from the measured 102°F.
Option D: A temperature of 38°C is equivalent to 100.4°F. This represents a low-grade fever and is significantly lower than the patient's measured temperature of 102°F.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Temperature conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) is classified as moderate pyrexia (fever), indicating an active response from the body's immune system, often due to infection or inflammation.
Nursing interventions for a patient with this level of fever include monitoring vital signs, encouraging fluid intake to prevent dehydration, providing comfort measures, and administering antipyretic medications (like paracetamol) as prescribed by the physician.
It is crucial to investigate and treat the underlying cause of the fever, not just the symptom itself.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core task of the question, which is to convert a temperature from one unit (Fahrenheit) to another (Celsius).
Recall the correct conversion formula: C = (F - 32) × 5/9.
Carefully substitute the value given in the question (102°F) into the formula.
Perform the mathematical calculation step-by-step: first the subtraction inside the parentheses, then the multiplication and division.
Compare your calculated result with the provided options.
Select the option that exactly matches or is the closest approximation of your result.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 118-120

E6 Nursing Vital Signs p. 97-99

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

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