HA question about elevated temp

Published

My first nursing student assistance thread! Yay! :laugh:

My health assessment lab partner told me at the beginning of the semester that they "run high" on temps and sure enough, their temperature has been high - in fact, outside of the range of normal all but once. The charting asks me to explain any finding outside the range of normal. I have no reason (nor do I think it's within my scope of practice as a nursing student) to diagnose any kind of infection. Can anyone give me any tips about how to explain a high temp?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

are you saying that your partner's temp is elevated and that this is a normal and expected condition for him/her? Wouldn't they have any knowledge of a possible reason for this or simply something he/she has noticed over the years?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

they did not give me a reason for the regularly higher temps - I got the impression that their normal was just on the high end of the range

Up Vote Up Vote ×

then i think that would be my explanation --- temp elvated but is normal for him/her as self reported.

you are correct that you cannot Dx infection as a nurse --- but if this happens on a regular basis and your partner is aware of it then unlikely to be an infection -- could be any number of things,, but would think that the person would have an idea of what causes it.. maybe something they are not comfortable sharing with a fellow student.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay, thank you. That is actually what I wrote last time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

[My health assessment lab partner told me at the beginning of the semester that they "run high" on temps and sure enough, their temperature has been high ]

Who are "they?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If a patient told me that I would chart something like. "Temp 99.3. Patient states "I normally run high.""

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

How "high" are we talking? There is a range of normal for temperatures and slightly above 98.6 could be and often is a normal variation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
[My health assessment lab partner told me at the beginning of the semester that they "run high" on temps and sure enough, their temperature has been high ]

Who are "they?"

I'm trying to be as non-specific as possible, and unfortunately the English language does not have a gender-neutral singular pronoun. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our text lists the normal range as 96.4-99.1 - the temp was 100.0.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I'm trying to be as non-specific as possible, and unfortunately the English language does not have a gender-neutral singular pronoun. ;)

I meant who are you talking about? patients? coworkers? all the people at this clinical site? Who's temp were you taking? Did he mean everyone at this facilty has high temps?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How "high" are we talking? There is a range of normal for temperatures and slightly above 98.6 could be and often is a normal variation.

Our text lists the normal range as 96.4 - 99.1; the temp was 100.0.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion