What it means
A rise in body temperature caused by the brain's thermostat, the hypothalamushy-poh-THAL-uh-musA small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.hypo- belowthalamus inner chamber (a part of the brain)Full entry , being set higher, most often by infection, inflammation or some drugs. It differs from hyperthermiahy-per-THER-mee-uhA body temperature that is higher than normal because the body takes in or makes more heat than it can lose.hyper- abovetherm/o heat-ia conditionFull entry , where the body overheats without the thermostat changing. The medical word is pyrexia; a person with a fever is febrile.
For the nurse
Check temperature with the same method each time and record it. Give fluids, antipyretics such as acetaminophenuh-see-tuh-MIN-uh-fenA drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.Full entry as ordered, and light clothing. Report fever in clients after surgery, with a central line, on chemotherapy or with low white cell counts, and in infants under 3 months.
In a chart
"Temp 38.9 °C oral, HR 108; blood cultures drawn, acetaminophen given."
At a glance
| Spanish | fiebre |
|---|---|
| Also written | fevers, febrile, pyrexia |
Related terms
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
hypothalamus
A small area at the base of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep and many hormones.
hyperthermia
A body temperature that is higher than normal because the body takes in or makes more heat than it can lose.
acetaminophen
A drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.
infection
The entry and growth of germs, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, in the body.