A type of fever in which, after every 24 hours, the body temperature comes to a normal level is known as?

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

Intermittent fever is defined by a temperature that is elevated for a period but returns to normal (afebrile) at least once within a 24-hour cycle.
This pattern is distinct from other fever types where the temperature remains consistently above normal.
The question describes a classic intermittent fever pattern, where the temperature normalizes every 24 hours.

Option B: In a continued or sustained fever, the body temperature remains elevated above normal with only minimal fluctuations (usually less than 1°C or 2°F) throughout a 24-hour period. It does not return to normal.
Option C: In a remittent fever, the temperature fluctuates significantly (more than 2°C or 3.6°F) over 24 hours, but it never falls back to a normal level.
Option D: Relapsing fever involves febrile episodes that last for several days, followed by periods of normal temperature that also last for one or more days. The cycle is much longer than 24 hours.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of fever patterns as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate documentation of fever patterns is a critical nursing responsibility as it provides diagnostic clues to the healthcare team.
Monitoring the type of fever helps in evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotic or antipyretic therapy.
What if? If the temperature returned to normal for two days and then spiked again, it would be classified as a relapsing fever, not an intermittent one, suggesting a different set of potential diagnoses like Borrelia infection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'temperature comes to a normal level' 'after every 24 hours'.
This indicates a cyclical pattern with a return to baseline within a day.
Recall the definitions of the different fever types provided in the options.
Compare the question's description to each definition.
Intermittent fever is the only type where the temperature returns to normal at least once in 24 hours.
Eliminate the other options: Continued (always high), Remittent (fluctuates but stays high), and Relapsing (normal periods last for days, not hours).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q0bSXhYwM-nfau7pO-iery

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 118-120

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1642-1644

Practise the full NORCET 1 - 2020

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