/ 2027) Intro to Family NP | Questions and
Verified Answers | 100 out of 100 | Grade A –
South Alabama
Incidence of Fever
One of most common reasons for parents to seek medical care.
Preschoolers have an average 6-8 febrile illnesses a year.
Definition of fever
Rectal temperature ≥ 100.4°F
Tympanic temperature
Not accurate in infants under 3 months
Fever Causes
Most common Benign viral illness, can also caused by bacterial or fungal infections, drug
reactions including immunizations, malignancies, autoimmune or metabolic disorders, CNS
disorders, excessive environmental temperatures.
Factors that increase likelihood of serious bacterial illness
Age under 3 months, history of prematurity, chronic medical conditions such as
immunosupression or aspenia, previous hospitalizations, daycare. Toxic appearance
,CMN568 / CMN 568 Final Exam (Latest 2026
/ 2027) Intro to Family NP | Questions and
Verified Answers | 100 out of 100 | Grade A –
South Alabama
Non-Toxic appearance
Strong cry
Consolable
Alert and easy to arouse
Pink skin tones
Good hydration; good turgor, tears, moist mucous membranes
Smiles, responsive to environment
Toxic appearance
Weak or high pitched cry
Inconsolable
Difficult to arouse
Pale, ashen, cyanotic, or mottled skin tones
Poor hydration; poor turgor, dry mucous membranes, no tears
No smile, listless, dull, infant won't alert to environment
Signs of serious illness
Fever greater than 40 (105)
Nuchal rigidity
,CMN568 / CMN 568 Final Exam (Latest 2026
/ 2027) Intro to Family NP | Questions and
Verified Answers | 100 out of 100 | Grade A –
South Alabama
Petechial skin rash
Seizure activity
Stridor or increased WOB
Physical exam signs of serious infection: Skin
Petechiae, rashes
Physical exam signs of serious infection: head/neck
Sunken or bulging fontanelles, nuchal rigidity
Physical exam signs of serious infection: ears
Bulging TM, AOM, mastoiditis
Physical exam signs of serious infection: Chest
Tachypnea, wheezing, rales, rhonchi
Physical exam signs of serious infection: Heart
Murmurs
, CMN568 / CMN 568 Final Exam (Latest 2026
/ 2027) Intro to Family NP | Questions and
Verified Answers | 100 out of 100 | Grade A –
South Alabama
Physical exam signs of serious infection: Abdomen
Tenderness, distension
Physical exam signs of serious infection: Musculoskeletal
Refusal to bear weight or use an extremity, erythema/warmth over joint
Diagnostic tests for fever in infant and young child
CBC w/ Diff (WBC > 15,000 may indicate SBI. Child with overwhelming sepsis my have WBC
<5,000)
UA/ C&S: R/O UTI
CXR: R/O Pneumonia
Lumbar Puncture: R/O meningitis
Blood cultures: R/O Bacteremia
Stools for C&S: R/O Infectious diarrhea
Management of fever in infant < 4 weeks
Refer to pediatrician
Hospitalization
Full septic workup