Word parts
What it means
A raised body temperature that happens when heat builds up faster than the body can get rid of it, as in heat exhaustion and heat stroke, or with some drugs. It differs from a fever, in which the brain resets the body's temperature higher on purpose to fight infection. Heat stroke causes hot, dry skin, a fast heart rate and confusion. Malignant hyperthermia is a rare, inherited reaction to certain anesthetic drugs that makes temperature rise very fast.
For the nurse
Cool the client as ordered (remove extra clothing, cool the room, use cooling blankets, give cool IV fluids) and check the temperature often. Fever-lowering drugs such as acetaminophen do not work well for hyperthermia, because the brain's set point is not raised.
Remember it
Hyper is high, therm is heat: high heat.
At a glance
| Spanish | hipertermia |
|---|---|
| Also written | hyperthermic |
Easy to confuse with
hypothermia
A body temperature that has fallen below the normal range.
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
vital signs
The basic body measurements: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain.
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.
hyper-
A word beginning that means above, over or more than normal.