Thermoregulation, PICU/PCU — Child with Fever — Clinical Pathway: ICU

Thermoregulation Clinical Pathway — PICU and PCU

Child with Fever

Depending on clinical presentation, children with temperatures > 40.5°C who are well-appearing and respond rapidly to antipyretics may not require external cooling.

Children with high fever have increased insensible losses and should be monitored and treated for hypovolemic and distributive shock.

Temperature ≥ 38 to 38.5°C
Temperature > 38.5 and < 40.5°C
Temperature > 40.5°C
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental modifications
and/or
Oral/IV antipyretics
 
 
 
 
Temp remains ≥ 38°C after
1 hr reassessment
Temp > 38.5°C after
1 hr reassessment or persists > 4 hrs
 
 
 
 

To treat fever, use Blanketrol automatic mode for Targeted Temperature Management 36.8°C for Non-Cardiac Arrest
Consider Oral/IV antipyretics
If fever felt to be resolved, may set in monitor mode
If the child is uncomfortable, may switch to gradient 10 with smart mode after fever resolved