A 36-year-old patient diagnosed with meningitis has a fever of 102.3° F. A family member verbalizes a concern that the patient is "breathing fast."

Question

Upon assessment, the nurse notes a res-piratory rate of 20 breaths/min, pulse oximetry is 92% on 2L/O2, and lungs clear to auscultation. What is the best explanation for the rapid respiratory rate that the nurse can give the family member?
a. "He is most likely anxious because he is in the hospital."
b. "His fever has increased his metabolic rate and is causing him to breathe faster."
c. "He is hyperventilating because he needs more oxygen."
d. "He has an acid-base imbalance, which is causing him to hyperventilate."

Answer 1

B
An increase of 1° F in body temperature causes a 7% increase in the metabolic rate, thereby in-creasing carbon dioxide production. The clinical response is increased rate and depth of respira-tion. Anxiety is not the reason for increased respirations in this scenario. The fever (102.3° F) is the cause of the increased respirations. The patient may have increased breathing but the patient is not hyperventilating. Hyperventilation occurs when the respiratory rate is greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult, causing an increase in carbon dioxide elimination.