What is the expected temperature for a client with a severe headache?

Prepare for the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Test with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with helpful hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam effortlessly!

In the context of a client experiencing a severe headache, an expected temperature of 39.3C (102.8F) indicates a febrile response, which can be associated with various underlying conditions such as infections, inflammatory processes, or other medical issues that might cause both fever and severe headache.

Fever, representing a body temperature above the normal range, often serves as a physiological response to infection or other systemic conditions. In cases of severe headache, the presence of elevated temperature suggests that there might be an underlying cause that is inflammatory or infectious in nature, such as meningitis or a viral infection.

While a normal temperature (37.0C or 98.6F) may suggest that the headache is not accompanied by systemic illness, the options signifying lower fever (38.5C or 101.3F) and significant fever (40.0C or 104.0F) do not directly address the typical presentation of severe headache related to serious conditions, where moderate fever is more common. A temperature of 39.3C (102.8F) aligns more closely with expected findings in such clinical scenarios.

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