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    Careplan

    Fever (Adult ED)

    Dec.08.2020

    Fever (Adult ED)

    Clinical Description

    • Care of the Emergency Department patient seeking treatment for an elevated body temperature.

    Key Information

    • Fever is a beneficial physiologic mechanism for fighting an infection; however, the degree of fever does not always correlate to the severity of the presenting illness.
    • Oncology patients and those with febrile neutropenia require prompt evaluation and initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Avoid rectal temperatures in neutropenic patients undergoing cancer therapy.
    • Presence of fever (greater than 38.3 degrees Celsius orally or 2 consecutive measurements greater than or equal to 38.0 degrees Celsius, each lasting over 1 hour) combined with an absolute neutrophil count of less than 500 neutrophils per microliter is a medical emergency. If not treated promptly, rapid deterioration, sepsis and death may result.
    • Sustained fevers over 41 degrees Celsius are typically related to neurologic dysfunction, rather than infection, and can lead to neurologic damage. Prompt cooling techniques and antipyretic agents are recommended.
    • A CRP (C-reactive protein) and procalcitonin measurement may provide a better indicator of serious infection than WBC (white blood cell) counts.

    Threats to Life, Limb or Function

    • advanced age
    • bacteremia
    • chronic illness
    • febrile neutropenia
    • meningitis
    • petechiae or purpura
    • sepsis
    • sustained fever
    • toxic appearance; rapid deterioration

    Clinical Goals

    By transition of care

    A. The patient will achieve the following goals:

    • Goal: Acute Signs/Symptoms are Managed

    • Goal: Acceptable Pain Level Achieved

      Correlate Health Status

      • Correlate health status to:

        • history, comorbidity
        • age, developmental level
        • sex, gender identity
        • baseline assessment data
        • physiologic status
        • response to medication and interventions
        • psychosocial status, social determinants of health
        • barriers to accessing care and services
        • health literacy
        • cultural and spiritual preferences
        • safety risks
        • family interaction
        • plan for transition of care

      Fever

      Associated Documentation

      • Fever Management

      Presentation

      • chills, rigors
      • confusion, delirium
      • elevation in body temperature
      • skin flushed
      • lethargic
      • mental status altered
      • seizures

      Associated Signs/Symptoms

      • anorexia
      • arthralgia, myalgia
      • breath sounds altered
      • extremities cool
      • cough
      • cyanosis
      • diaphoresis
      • diarrhea
      • headache
      • malaise
      • nuchal rigidity
      • peripheral perfusion altered
      • petechiae
      • rash
      • seizures
      • signs of dehydration
      • tachycardia
      • vomiting
      • work of breathing increased

      Potential Causes

      • central nervous system alteration (poststroke, intracranial hemorrhage)
      • dehydration
      • environmental exposure; overdressed
      • immune system disorder
      • infection or infectious disease
      • inflammatory or noninfectious disease (pulmonary embolism, malignancy)
      • medication reaction, drug ingestion
      • metabolic disorder (hyperthyroid, thyroid storm, adrenal insufficiency)
      • preexisting medical condition (autoimmune, rheumatologic disorder, sickle cell)
      • vascular inflammation

      Initial Assessment

      • breath sounds
      • fluid status
      • focal site of potential infection (throat, abdomen, bladder, soft tissue)
      • general appearance
      • hemodynamic status
      • neurologic status
      • oxygen saturation
      • respiratory rate, pattern, effort
      • skin characteristics

      History

      • allergies
      • comorbidities
      • immunization status
      • last menstrual period (females of child bearing age)
      • medications
      • fever onset and pattern
      • mental and behavioral changes
      • pain presence and location
      • recent illness or exposure
      • recent procedure or surgery
      • recent travel
      • treatment prior to presentation

      Laboratory Studies

      • CBC (complete blood count) with differential
      • CRP (C-reactive protein)
      • cultures (urine, wound, sputum, joint fluid)
      • ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
      • procalcitonin level
      • urinalysis

      Diagnostics

      • chest x-ray

      Potential Additional Testing

      • abdominal ultrasound
      • antigen panel
      • ABG (arterial blood gas)
      • bilirubin
      • bone scan
      • chemistry panel
      • CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) evaluation
      • CT (computed tomography) scan abnormal
      • culture, blood
      • fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography
      • hepatic transaminase enzymes
      • nuclear imaging
      • pregnancy test (females of childbearing age)
      • viral swab

      Problem Intervention

      Provide Respiratory Support

      • Assess and monitor airway, breathing and circulation; maintain close surveillance for deterioration.
      • Maintain open and patent airway with use of positioning, airway adjuncts and secretion clearance.
      • Position to minimize the risk of aspiration, ventilation-perfusion mismatch and breathlessness.
      • Minimize oxygen consumption and demand.
      • Provide oxygen therapy judiciously; titrate to prevent hyperoxemia.
      • Implement noninvasive or invasive positive pressure ventilation to support oxygenation and ventilation, as well as relieve respiratory distress.

      Problem Intervention

      Monitor and Manage Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

      • Assess fluid status; provide oral or intravenous fluid therapy.
      • Monitor intake, output and laboratory value trends.
      • Evaluate patient response; advocate for adjustment in treatment with imbalance.

      Problem Intervention

      Minimize and Manage Infection

      • Assess for presence of infection and signs of early sepsis.
      • Initiate precautions to prevent the spread of infection.
      • Obtain cultures prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy, when possible.
      • Anticipate antimicrobial therapy administration; do not delay in the presence of high suspicion or clinical indicators.
      • Anticipate hospitalization for life-threatening illness, if source of fever is not determined or the patient is immunocompromised.

      Problem Intervention

      Promote Comfort and Manage Pain

      • Use a consistent pain assessment tool; evaluate pain and treatment response at regular intervals.
      • Involve patient and family in the management plan.
      • Provide nonpharmacologic strategies, such as adjusting room temperature, removing excess clothing and providing oral care.
      • Consider pharmacologic measures, such as an analgesic or antipyretic agent.
      • Anticipate aggressive treatment of fever in patients with limited cardiopulmonary or metabolic reserve.

      Problem Intervention

      Facilitate Procedures

      • Initiate and maintain NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
      • Prepare for, or assist with, procedure to determine source of fever, such as lumbar puncture, ear examination, pelvic examination, urinary catheterization or suprapubic tap.
      • Anticipate and prepare for surgical intervention.

      Education

      General Emergency Education

      Teaching Focus

      • symptom/problem overview

      • risk factors/triggers

      • self-management

      • assistive device

      • diagnostic test

      • diet modification

      • medical device/equipment use

      • medication administration

      • opioid medication management

      • orthopaedic device

      • safe medication disposal

      • smoking cessation

      • wound care

      Population-Specific Considerations

      Forensics and Legal

      • Utilize local, state/province, federal requirements and hospital policy and protocols to manage patient care involving forensics, protective services, workman’s compensation and mandatory reportable events and illness.

      Human Trafficking

      • Human trafficking victims most frequently seek healthcare services from Emergency Departments. Healthcare professionals, alert to signs of trafficking, can guide supportive care for victims.
      • Trafficked individuals may be male or female and engaged in sex work or other forced labor. High-risk signs requiring more direct questioning about exploitation include, among others, current employment in a high-risk industry, prior sexually transmitted infections, recent immigration, undocumented immigrant status and other vulnerable and minority populations.

      Geriatric

      • A serious bacterial infection should be presumed if older adults present with a fever or subnormal temperature, especially if they are also immunosuppressed.
      • The baseline temperature for an older adult is lower than in a younger adult.
      • In the presence of a severe infection, fevers may be mild or absent due to an impaired ability to initiate an elevation in body temperature.
      • A decline in functional, cognitive and physical status may signal an infection.
      • Fragile skin, weakened cough and gag reflexes, impaired urinary elimination and an impaired immune system predispose the older adult to infections.

      Pregnancy

      • Beyond 20 weeks gestation, supine position should be avoided. Maternal position should be lateral or lateral tilt to prevent compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the pregnant uterus.
      • Maternal stabilization and resuscitation are the primary priorities.
      • Assessment of fetal status, a secondary assessment, should include fetal heart rate, contraction activity and presence of maternal-fetal hemorrhage.
      • Maternal overheating during pregnancy can also result in fetal overheating. Congenital anomalies can result, particularly in the first trimester.
      • There is a higher risk for volume depletion due to heat stress during pregnancy.

      Quality Measures

      • NQF 0497. Admit Decision Time to ED Departure Time for Admitted Patients
        Median time from admit decision time to time of departure from the emergency department for emergency department patients admitted to inpatient.
        Steward: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
        Care Setting: ED, Hospital
        National Quality Forum-endorsed measure
        Last Edited: 10/11/2017
      • NQF 0496. Median Time from ED arrival to ED Departure for Discharged ED Patients
        Median time from emergency department arrival to time of departure from the emergency room for patients discharged from the emergency department.
        Steward: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
        Care Setting: ED, Hospital
        National Quality Forum-endorsed measure
        Last Edited: 10/11/2017
      • NQF 0495. Median Time from ED arrival to ED Departure for Admitted ED Patients
        Median time from emergency department arrival to time of departure from the emergency room for patients admitted to the facility from the emergency department.
        Steward: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
        Care Setting: ED, Hospital
        National Quality Forum-endorsed measure
        Last Edited: 10/11/2017

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      Disclaimer

      Clinical Practice Guidelines represent a consistent/standardized approach to the care of patients with specific diagnoses. Care should always be individualized by adding patient specific information to the Plan of Care.

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