Fever: Basics & Definitions
This is defined as a rise in body temperature in response to endogenous cytokines, with a typical cutoff of 100.4°F.
What is fever?
The most common cause of infective endocarditis in healthcare settings.
What is Staphylococcus aureus?
Therapy started before the causative agent is identified, based on likely pathogens and clinical syndrome.
What is empirical therapy?
The most common initial test to differentiate Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria.
What is Gram stain?
The most common cause of FUO in the elderly.
What is giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)?
The classic definition of Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) includes fever ≥38.3°C for at least this duration.
What is 3 weeks?
This physical exam finding, seen in 96% of endocarditis patients, is the most common.
What is fever?
The most important measure to slow antibiotic resistance in hospitals.
What is tailoring therapy to narrow-spectrum antibiotics once cultures are available (de-escalation)?
This test is used to detect acid-fast bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
What is acid-fast stain?
The definition of neutropenic fever includes an absolute neutrophil count below this value.
What is <500/mm³?
This term describes an elevation in body temperature due to failed thermoregulation, often exceeding 105.8°F.
What is hyperthermia?
Painful erythematous subcutaneous nodules on the tips of digits, seen in endocarditis.
What are Osler nodes?
This class of antibiotics inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis and includes penicillins and cephalosporins.
What are beta-lactams?
The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is defined as this.
What is the lowest concentration of antibiotic that inhibits visible bacterial growth?
The most common cause of nosocomial FUO.
What is nosocomial pneumonia?
Name two non-infectious causes of fever commonly seen in acute care.
What are drug fever and malignancy?
The “gold standard” for diagnosing necrotizing soft tissue infections.
What is surgical exploration?
The main adverse effect associated with vancomycin infusion.
What is vancomycin infusion reaction (formerly red-man syndrome)?
This serum test is positive in invasive fungal infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and others.
What is Beta-D-Glucan?
This syndrome, associated with antipsychotic use, presents with fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
The four main categories of FUO are classic, nosocomial, immune-deficient, and this infection-related category.
What is HIV-related FUO?
The most common cause of exudative pleural effusion.
What is infection (such as bacterial pneumonia)?
The only carbapenem with poor activity against Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter.
What is ertapenem?
The most common pathogens isolated from blood cultures in acute care.
What are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae?
The first-line management for a febrile neutropenic patient.
What is hospitalization and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics?