All of the following are precautions in the care of a patient with high fever, except?

Appeared in: BHU NO - 2015

Explanation

The statement that tepid sponging is not useful when antipyretics fail is incorrect.
Tepid sponging is a valid non-pharmacological intervention used to supplement antipyretic therapy.
It facilitates heat loss through evaporation from the skin's surface, helping to lower body temperature.
While some modern guidelines debate its efficacy compared to antipyretics alone, it is not considered 'useless' and is still taught as an adjunct measure, especially when a fever is very high or unresponsive.

Option A: This is a valid and crucial safety precaution. Patients with high fever can experience confusion, delirium, or seizures, making it unsafe for them to be left alone.
Option B: This is a true statement and a key reason for close monitoring. High fever lowers the seizure threshold and can cause rigors (intense shivering), which are known complications.
Option C: This is a standard and appropriate intervention. Antipyretic drugs are the first-line pharmacological treatment for reducing fever.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Nursing management of hyperthermia (high fever) to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
A nurse's role in fever management involves an integrated approach, combining pharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological comfort and safety measures.
Patient safety is paramount. Continuous monitoring for changes in mental status and the onset of complications like seizures is a critical nursing responsibility.
What if? - If a patient starts to shiver vigorously during tepid sponging, the nurse must stop immediately. Shivering is the body's attempt to raise its temperature and is counterproductive to cooling efforts. The nurse should cover the patient with a light sheet and re-assess temperature after a short period.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the word 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that is false or does not belong with the others.
Evaluate each option as a potential precaution or true statement about fever care.
Option A: Is it a safety rule to not leave a febrile patient alone? Yes, due to risks like seizures.
Option B: Can rigors and convulsions happen? Yes, this is a known complication.
Option C: Is giving antipyretics a standard action? Yes, it's a primary treatment.
Option D: Is tepid sponging truly 'not useful' if drugs fail? No, it's a recognized secondary measure. This statement is false.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Nursing management of hyperthermia (high fever).
Stem keywords: high fever, precautions, care of a patient
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the exception among the given options.

QwSZXpHRr8MWfxJ8FvYorQ

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 17-19

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1645-1647

Practise the full BHU NO - 2015

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