Which term describes a body temperature above 100.4°F?

Which term describes a body temperature above 100.4°F?

• A. Pyrexia
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Anorexia
• D. Vital signs

Answer: (A)

Fever is an elevated body temperature, and the medical term for this state is pyrexia. When body temperature rises to 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, it’s described as pyrexia, often signaling a response to infection or inflammation. This concept sits at the intersection of thermoregulation and illness, which is why a thermometer reading above 100.4°F earns the label pyrexia. Tachycardia, by contrast, refers to a fast heart rate; anorexia means loss of appetite; and vital signs are the set of core measurements used to assess health, including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

Fever is an elevated body temperature, and the medical term for this state is pyrexia. When body temperature rises to 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, it’s described as pyrexia, often signaling a response to infection or inflammation. This concept sits at the intersection of thermoregulation and illness, which is why a thermometer reading above 100.4°F earns the label pyrexia.

Tachycardia, by contrast, refers to a fast heart rate; anorexia means loss of appetite; and vital signs are the set of core measurements used to assess health, including temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.