American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What is the most common cause of fever in the acute care setting?

1. Viral infections

2. Autoimmune diseases

3. Drug reactions

4. Bacterial infections

The correct answer is: Bacterial infections

Fever is a common clinical manifestation in the acute care setting, and understanding its underlying causes is crucial for effective patient management. Bacterial infections are recognized as the most prevalent cause of fever among patients in acute care. The pathophysiology behind this is the body's response to bacterial invasion, which triggers the immune system to release pyrogens—substances that induce fever as a mechanism to fight off the infection. In acute care settings, bacterial infections can arise from various sources, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bloodstream infections, among others. The systemic inflammatory response to these infections often results in elevated body temperature, making it a key sign that necessitates timely intervention and treatment. Other causes of fever, such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and drug reactions, are indeed present in acute care contexts but are not as frequent as bacterial infections. Consequently, identifying bacterial infections as the primary cause allows healthcare professionals to prioritize diagnostic testing and initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy, ensuring a more effective management of febrile patients in acute settings.