RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 1474 of 2368

At the onset of a fever, a client has pale skin and shivering. Which explanation should the nurse understand?

  1. Skin vessels constrict and muscles shiver to raise the core temperature
  2. Skin vessels dilate and the client is losing heat
  3. The fever is breaking and the client is sweating
  4. The client is releasing heat to lower the core temperature
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Correct answer: Skin vessels constrict and muscles shiver to raise the core temperature

Vasoconstriction and shivering conserve and produce heat. When a fever breaks, vasodilation and sweating release heat.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Infection: Nonspecific Innate Immunity. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026