The body temperature fluctuates but does not return to normal in which of the following pattern of fever?

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur lecturer 2021

Explanation

Remittent fever is characterized by daily temperature fluctuations where the variation is more than 1-2°C (1.8-3.6°F).
The key feature is that the body temperature remains continuously above normal and never touches the baseline during a 24-hour period.
This pattern is commonly seen in conditions like infective endocarditis and typhoid fever.

Option A: In intermittent fever, the temperature returns to normal or subnormal levels at least once every 24 hours, which contradicts the question's requirement that the temperature 'does not return to normal'.
Option B: Relapsing fever involves febrile episodes lasting for days, separated by afebrile periods also lasting for days. The question describes a daily fluctuation pattern, not one that alternates over several days.
Option D: In sustained fever, the temperature remains consistently elevated with only minimal fluctuations, typically less than 1°C (1.8°F). This contradicts the question's description of a temperature that 'fluctuates'.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of fever patterns based on temperature fluctuation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying the fever pattern is a crucial nursing skill as it can provide vital clues to the underlying cause of an illness, helping in early diagnosis and treatment.
Accurate temperature charting and recognition of the pattern can guide medical decisions, such as the timing of blood cultures or the choice of antibiotics.
What if? If the question stated the temperature fluctuated but did return to normal each day, the correct answer would be Intermittent fever.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'fluctuates' and 'does not return to normal'.
This immediately sets up two conditions the correct answer must meet.
Review the definitions of the four fever patterns provided in the options.
Compare each option against the two conditions. 'Sustained' fever fails the 'fluctuates' condition (it has minimal fluctuation). 'Intermittent' and 'Relapsing' fevers fail the 'does not return to normal' condition.
Only 'Remittent' fever satisfies both conditions: it fluctuates significantly while remaining above the normal baseline.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of fever patterns based on temperature fluctuation.
Stem keywords: body temperature, fluctuates, does not return to normal, fever pattern
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

QDZTc_pKPv7aOkgRcqS3gE

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 118-120

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

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur lecturer 2021

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