Implications for practice
From the list of critical elements, a clear picture of the
concept of fever emerges (see Table 2). It is then possible,
using these elements, to determine if an elevation in body
temperature is truly a febrile event. People with physiologically
induced hyperthermia, such as occurs with exercise,
clearly do not require intervention. Others may present with
hyperthermia from a disruption in set point temperature, for
example those with a traumatic brain injury. These patients
are often unable to self-regulate their temperature and,
although this is not fever as it is not accompanied by the
acute phase response, nursing intervention to prevent
secondary brain injury is warranted. As fever is likely an
adaptive response of the body to a threat, and thus
beneficial, only those who are at secondary risk because of
the metabolic effects of fever or those in discomfort should
receive interventions aimed at lowering it. Febrile patients
not at risk or in discomfort should be monitored and
educated about the beneficial effects of fever on the immune
system.