Temp and dying....

[luvmy2angels]

Is it true that the body's temp increases the closer the person is to death?? I always thought it was the opposite. For those of you that have followed my posts my grandfather is on the last step of his journey. The hospice nurse was just in to see him and his temp is 108. She said not to worry, and he is resting comfortabley (sp?). Just wondering if that is normal in the dying process.

I thank all you wonderful hopsice nurses, you truly are a blessing to many people!!

[st4wb3rr33sh0rtc4k3]

AngieRN29 said:

I have seen a gradual increased temp the closer to death as well as a normal temp that drastically spikes minutes before death. This is caused by the hypothalmus shutting down and is a normal part of the disease progression. I do not believe that the patient feels this temp rise, however..the only way to really tell any discomfort at that end of life is by the respirations. I treat for respirations and other resp distress. I do not treat for the temp aside from a cool washrag on the forehead. Giving a tylenol suppos to treat a fever of 105 will do one of two things...either nothing, or drop the temp shortly to maybe 104. Plus the fact that the patient has had another invasive procedure with no real beneficial outcome. However, yes...you will recieve many different ideas and comments of how to treat end of life.

True about the temperature. Today, was number two for me. And the temperature was really high in the beginning. Gave Tylenol and it went down. Right before she died it went high again.

[BeExcellent]

O, i forgot 'til just now. Someone gave a 'temp tip" a few months back to use peppermint soap spongebath to bring temps down. I found peppermint soap at healthfood store and peppermint lotion elsewhere and voila! It is probably the tepid sponge bath that REALLY works but at least it smells wonderful and gives eveyone something nice to do. (I started this to discourage Crisis Team from "icing" my pts with a temp.) LaLaLa

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

BeExcellent said:

O, i forgot 'til just now. Someone gave a 'temp tip" a few months back to use peppermint soap spongebath to bring temps down. I found peppermint soap at healthfood store and peppermint lotion elsewhere and voila! It is probably the tepid sponge bath that REALLY works but at least it smells wonderful and gives eveyone something nice to do. (I started this to discourage Crisis Team from "icing" my pts with a temp.) LaLaLa

Peppermint lotion is a wonderful idea! I'll pick some up for our supply closet.

I do think we need to think comfort in dying, and fever is not comfortable. I use cool damp cloths (encourage family to do the same). Liquid tylenol can be given a few drops at a time, at about the same rate saliva might appear, SL. It gets absorbed, patient feels a little better, and they don't choke because there is no influx of lots of liquid at one time. And no discomfort from repositioning for supp.