New Zealand State Nursing Practice Exam

A slightly higher temperature post-surgery is commonly associated with the normal healing process that occurs in the body following surgical intervention. After surgery, the body initiates an inflammatory response as part of the healing process. This inflammation can lead to an increase in body temperature, which is a natural response rather than an indication of a problem.

When tissues are injured during surgery, the body sends white blood cells and other substances to the site to repair and defend against potential infection. This process can result in a mild fever, and providers often expect this to happen for a brief period after the operation, particularly within the first few days as the body begins to heal.

While an elevated temperature post-surgery can sometimes indicate an infection, it is important to assess the overall clinical picture, including any associated symptoms and the timing of temperature changes. A mild increase in temperature shortly after surgery is often not a cause for concern and aligns with normal postoperative physiological responses.

In contrast, other options such as the immediate need for medication or failure of the surgical procedure would suggest more urgent clinical issues that require specific signs and symptoms to be present, which is not typically the case with a slight fever related to healing.