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Body temperature alterations in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients
S G Jones1, F Holloman, D Coffin
1Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA.
Medsurg Nursing : Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
|October 23, 1998
Summary
Fever and elevated body temperature are common in hospitalized patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This nursing research found fevers often self-limit and differ from other patients, as white blood cell counts do not typically increase.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Research
- Infectious Diseases
- HIV/AIDS Medicine
Background:
- Staff nurses observed frequent fevers and temperature changes in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Existing research may not fully capture the nuances of fever presentation in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and severity of fever in hospitalized patients diagnosed with AIDS.
- To validate clinical observations of temperature alterations in this patient population through systematic research.
Main Methods:
- A nursing research study was conducted.
- Data collection focused on temperature elevations in hospitalized AIDS patients.
Main Results:
- Temperature elevation and fever are frequent in hospitalized patients with HIV/AIDS.
- These fevers are often self-limiting.
- Unlike other medical/surgical patients, an elevated white blood cell count was not a common finding in this group.
Conclusions:
- Nursing observations of fever in AIDS patients are significant and warrant research validation.
- Understanding fever patterns in HIV/AIDS is crucial for developing targeted nursing interventions.
- Fever in HIV/AIDS patients presents distinct characteristics compared to other patient populations.
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01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
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01:25Increased Body Temperature
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
01:22Methods of reducing fever
The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
01:29Decreased Body Temperature
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
Here is a stepwise guide to assessing the body temperature at the temporal artery using a temporal artery thermometer
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...
01:19Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...