Author Question: The client is identified by the nurse as having a remittent fever. The student asks what that means ... (Read 49 times)

Collmarie · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The client is identified by the nurse as having a remittent fever. The student asks what that means and the nurse explains that a remittent fever is:

1. A constant body temperature above 100.4 F with little fluctuation
2. Spikes that are interspersed with normal temperatures within 24 hours
3. Spikes and falls in temperature, but temperature does not return to the normal limits
4. Periods of febrile episodes interspersed with normal body temperatures

Question 2

After measuring the client's vital signs, the nurse obtains the following results: blood pressure = 180/100 mm Hg, pulse = 82 beats/min, R = 16 breaths/min, and rectal temp = 37.5 C. The nurse should:

1. Retake the blood pressure
2. Retake the client's temperature
3. Report all of the findings immediately
4. Record the findings as within normal limits

Brummell1998 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 3
A remittent fever spikes and falls without a return to normal temperature levels.
A sustained fever is a constant body temperature continuously above 38 C (100.4 F) that demonstrates little fluctuation. An intermittent fever has fever spikes interspersed with usual temperature levels. Temperature returns to acceptable levels at least once in 24 hours.
A relapsing fever has periods of febrile episodes interspersed with acceptable temperature values.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 1
The normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg. This client's blood pressure is significantly higher at 180/100 mm Hg, and may be an indication of hypertension. (One elevated blood pres-sure measurement does not qualify as a diagnosis of hypertension; it would have to be elevated on at least two separate occasions). The nurse should retake the blood pressure. The client's tem-perature is within normal limits for a rectal temperature. The average rectal temperature is 37.5 C. The nurse should repeat the blood pressure measurement to confirm the reading before report-ing the findings. The blood pressure reading is not within normal limits. The pulse rate, respirato-ry rate, and temperature are within normal limits.