What observation should you report to the registered nurse when caring for a patient with a fever who is receiving ice packs and/or a cooling blanket?

Reporting shivering in a patient who is receiving ice packs or a cooling blanket is crucial for several reasons. Shivering is the body’s physiological response to cold temperatures, which can occur when a cooling method is applied. This response may indicate that the body is trying to maintain its core temperature by generating heat through muscle contractions. When shivering occurs, it can undermine the effectiveness of the cooling treatment, leading to a potential increase in body temperature rather than a decrease.

Moreover, shivering can also lead to discomfort for the patient and may raise the metabolic demand, which could be detrimental, especially in patients who are already compromised or battling an ongoing illness. Therefore, reporting shivering prompts the registered nurse to reassess the cooling measures being used and adjust them as necessary to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety.

In contrast, while an increased heart rate, cooling of extremities, or decreased blood pressure may also be of interest in a clinical context, they do not indicate an immediate physiological reaction that necessitates intervention in the same way that shivering does when the patient is undergoing cooling treatment. Addressing shivering allows for a more effective management of the patient’s fever.