defines fever as ‘an elevation
of body temperature above the normal daily
variation’. To many nurses this can seem
rather vague and non-specific. In practice, it is
generally accepted that fever is characterised by
a body temperature of above 37.2°C (axillary),
37.5°C (oral), or 38°C (rectal and tympanic)
.
It is important to remember that a parent’s report of fever should always be taken
seriously regardless of whether the child
has a measurable fever on assessment.