Persistent Fever and Nursing Care in Neurosurgical Patients

Abstract

Fever negatively affects the recovery of the brain following neurosurgical operation and prolongs the length of stay in the neurosurgery intensive care unit. Accordingly, it is necessary to deliver nursing care as indicated by the evidence regarding the management of fever in neurosurgical patients. The management of body temperature requires teamwork. Each healthcare professional in the team should select appropriate cooling methods, provide an acceptable cooling rate, manage shivering, and monitor the patient closely, with a multidisciplinary perspective. In this context, the present article discusses the causes of fever, its incidence, treatment and care practices for neurosurgical patients and proposes evidence-based recommendations for practice upon the review of the international guidelines. (JNNN 2020;9(2):80–85)

Keywords

• stroke
• subarachnoid hemorrhage
• intracerebral hemorrhage
• persistent fever
• nursing care