The nurse working the night shift on a surgical unit is making rounds at 0400 hours.She notices that the patient's temperature is 36°C (96.8°F) ,whereas at 1600 hours the preceding day,it was 37°C (98.6°F) .What should the nurse do?

A) Call the physician immediately to report a possible infection.
B) Realize that this is a normal temperature variation.
C) Provide another blanket to conserve body temperature.
D) Provide medication to lower the temperature further.

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jansen kiffe · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  Body temperature normally changes 0.5°C to 1°C (0.9°F to 1.8°F)during a 24-hour period.Unless the patient is complaining of being cold,there is no physiological need for providing an extra blanket or medication to lower the body temperature further.There is also no need to call a physician to report a normal temperature variation.

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