The fever in which temperature remains above normal throughout the day and fluctuate more than 2 degree Fahre… - AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Remittent fever is defined as a fever where the body temperature remains continuously above the normal range.
A key characteristic of remittent fever is that the temperature fluctuates, with variations of more than 2°F (1°C) over a 24-hour period.
Unlike intermittent fever, the temperature in a remittent pattern never returns to the normal baseline during the febrile period.
This pattern is often associated with infectious diseases like infective endocarditis and typhoid fever.

Option A: Lysis is not a type of fever pattern. It describes the gradual decline of a fever back to a normal temperature, as opposed to a crisis, which is a sudden drop.
Option C: Inverted fever refers to a reversal of the normal daily temperature rhythm, where the temperature is highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. The question does not provide information about the timing of the fluctuations.
Option D: In intermittent fever, the temperature returns to normal at least once every 24 hours. The question explicitly states the temperature 'remains above normal throughout the day'.

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.
Accurate documentation of fever patterns is a vital nursing responsibility as it provides crucial diagnostic clues to the healthcare team, helping to differentiate between various infectious and inflammatory conditions.
Recognizing a remittent pattern can prompt further investigation for specific conditions like endocarditis or abscesses, which require targeted treatment.
What if the temperature returned to normal for several hours each day? If the temperature dropped to a normal level (e.g., 98.6°F or 37°C) between spikes, the pattern would be classified as Intermittent fever, suggesting different potential causes like malaria or sepsis.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question's definition. Identify the two key characteristics: 1) temperature 'remains above normal throughout the day' and 2) it 'fluctuates more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit'.
Next, recall or look up the definitions of the different fever types provided in the options.
Compare the definition in the question to the definition of each option.
Eliminate 'Lysis' as it describes the decline of fever, not a pattern of fluctuation.
Eliminate 'Intermittent' because in this pattern, the temperature returns to normal, which contradicts the question.
Compare 'Remittent' and 'Inverted'. 'Inverted' refers to the time of day, which isn't mentioned. 'Remittent' perfectly matches the description of a continuously elevated but fluctuating temperature.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of fever patterns based on temperature fluctuation.
Stem keywords: fever, temperature, above normal, fluctuate, 2 degree Fahrenheit
Lead-in keywords: is known as
Clinical cues: Temperature remains above normal throughout the day: This is a key feature that distinguishes it from intermittent fever.
Clinical cues: Fluctuates more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit: This specifies the degree of temperature variation, pointing towards a remittent pattern.

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