High School

What is the medical term for a patient with an oral temperature of 100.8 Fahrenheit?

1) Hyperthermia
2) Hypothermia
3) Fever
4) Normothermia

Answer :

Final answer:

A temperature of 100.8 Fahrenheit is classified as a fever, which exceeds the normal body temperature range. Fever signals a potential infection or other health issue and may necessitate medical attention if it is significantly high. Therefore, the correct option is 3) Fever.

Explanation:

The medical term for a patient with an oral temperature of 100.8 Fahrenheit is fever. This condition is defined as a body temperature above the normal range. A normal body temperature is generally recognized as 98.6°F (± 1.0°F). A fever is indicated when the body temperature is above 100°F in adults. It is important to note that very high body temperatures, such as hyperpyrexia, which is characterized by body temperatures greater than or equal to 106.7°F, are considered a medical emergency.

Fever may occur as a result of various causes such as infections, an upward adjustment of the body temperature set-point, or inadequate cooling mechanisms. For children, the fever values calling for medical attention are lower than for adults. When temperature exceeds a certain threshold, it may indicate other underlying conditions which require medical examination.