Question

What is a cause for pyrexia or a reason for hypothermia? Describe the Pathophysiology of the medical diagnosis, signs and symptoms, and traditional treatment.

Counter post on two peers: How would you use your critical thinking to develop a nursing diagnosis to normalize the patient's temperature? Describe a plan of care using a NANDA with three interventions.

Answer 1

Causes:
Fever occurs when a part of the brain called the hypothalamus shifts the set point of your normal body temperature upward. When this happens, you may feel chilled and add layers of clothing or you may start shivering to generate more body heat. This eventually results in a higher body temperature.

There are numerous different conditions that can trigger fevers. Some possible causes include:

infections, including the flu, common cold, and pneumonia
some immunizations, such as diphtheria or tetanus (in children)
teething (in infants)
some inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease
blood clots
extreme sunburn
food poisoning
some medications, including antibiotics.

Diagnosis is by placing thermometer in armpits. A baby has a fever when their body temperature exceeds 100.4°F, or 38°C. A child has a fever when their temperature exceeds 99.5°F, or 37.5°C. An adult has a fever when their temperature exceeds 99 to 99.5°F, or 37.2 to 37.5°C.
Symptoms include:

sweating
shivering
a headache
muscle aches
a loss of appetite
dehydration
general weakness

Treatment:

making sure the room temperature where the person is resting is comfortable
taking a regular bath or a sponge bath using lukewarm water
taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
drinking plenty of fluids.