A 54-year-old man presents with a temperature of 38.8°C (101.8°F), a racing heart, fatigue, and an upset stomach after spending an afternoon building a deck on a very hot, humid day. The physician assessing the man is performing a differential diagnosis as part of her assessment. Which of the following findings would suggest fever rather than hyperthermia as a cause of the elevation in the man's temperature?
A) Moist skin
B) Dizziness
C) Shivering
D) Cognitive changes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shivering is a response to a signal for increased heat production. It would only occur on a hot day if the set point for temperature regulation were increased, as in the case of fever but not hyperthermia. Moist skin, cognitive changes, and dizziness can occur with either fever or hyperthermia.

A 54-Year-Old Man Presents with a Temperature of 38