Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

What type of fever is characterized by a wide fluctuation in body temperature?

1. Intermittent

2. Remittent

3. Sustained

4. Relapsing

The correct answer is: Remittent

Remittent fever is characterized by a wide fluctuation in body temperature, typically defined as variations where the temperature remains elevated but does not return to normal. This type of fever fluctuates significantly, with the patient experiencing considerable swings between high and lower temperatures during the course of the day, yet it never fully resolves to a normal temperature. In contrast, intermittent fever involves periodic episodes of fever separated by periods of normal temperature, while sustained fever maintains a consistently high temperature without significant fluctuations. Relapsing fever features episodes of fever that alternate with periods of normal temperature, but these episodes typically last longer and are more cyclic in nature. Understanding these distinctions is critical when evaluating a patient's condition and determining the underlying cause of their symptoms.