Pediatric Fever & Febrile Seizures Nursing Quiz

1. A 3-year-old with febrile seizure history develops fever to 102°F (38.9°C). The parent is anxious about seizure recurrence. What is the most reassuring statement?

Seizure will definitely occur with every fever

Most febrile seizures are brief, self-limited, and have excellent prognosis

Fever will cause permanent neurological damage

Prophylactic seizure medications must be started immediately

2. What is the recommended dose of ibuprofen for a 3-year-old weighing 35 lbs?

100 mg

150 mg

200 mg

300 mg

3. A 18-month-old with fever experiences a 2-minute generalized tonic-clonic seizure. After the seizure stops, what is the priority nursing action?

Administer prophylactic antiepileptic drugs

Position child on side; assess level of consciousness and vital signs

Restrain the child to prevent injury

Immediately perform lumbar puncture

4. The seizure threshold in children is primarily determined by:

Genetic predisposition and brain maturation

Fever temperature alone

Duration of illness

Parental anxiety level

5. A parent reports their child had a febrile seizure last month. What is the recurrence risk for future febrile seizures?

Less than 10%

30–50%

Greater than 80%

100% certainty of recurrence

6. A child with a history of febrile seizures experiences fever. Which emergency medication should parents keep accessible at home?

Phenytoin

Rectal diazepam

Oral phenobarbital

Intravenous lorazepam

7. A 2-year-old presents with fever, cough, and a rash. Which finding would most concern you for a serious bacterial infection?

Maculopapular rash on trunk

Non-blanching petechial or purpuric rash

Fine pink rash on cheeks

Rash appearing after fever subsides

8. A 4-year-old with fever and a focal seizure affecting only one arm should be evaluated for:

Simple febrile seizure (normal variant)

Possible CNS infection or structural lesion

Dehydration

Viral exanthem

9. Which statement about Pediatric Fever & Febrile Seizures is most accurate for nursing practice?

All fevers require aggressive temperature reduction

Assessment for serious infection and seizure risk guides intervention

Febrile seizures always indicate underlying epilepsy

Temperature measurement is unnecessary if child appears well

10. Parents ask if they should avoid all fever-reducing medications. What is your best response?

Never use antipyretics; fever is always beneficial

Use antipyretics alternately (ibuprofen and acetaminophen together)

Use antipyretics to improve comfort; alternate is not necessary

Antipyretics prevent all complications of fever

11. Which assessment finding in a febrile child would warrant immediate neuroimaging?

Brief generalized seizure with full post-ictal recovery

Focal neurological deficits or altered consciousness

High fever with mild irritability

Mild lethargy that improves with antipyretics

12. How long should you observe a child after a febrile seizure before discharge?

5 minutes

15–30 minutes minimum

2 hours

Overnight hospitalization mandatory

13. When educating parents about fever management, which statement is most appropriate?

The goal is to eliminate fever completely

Fever is a beneficial immune response; treat only if child is uncomfortable

Fever always requires antibiotics

Ice baths are the most effective cooling method

14. A 2-year-old presents with a temperature of 103.5°F (39.7°C), flushed skin, and irritability. What is the first nursing priority?

Administer antipyretics immediately

Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; obtain vital signs

Apply ice packs to lower temperature

Isolate the child for infection control

15. Which medication is NOT recommended for routine prophylaxis of febrile seizures?

Phenobarbital

Diazepam (intermittent)

Acetaminophen

Levetiracetam

16. Antipyretics should be used for fever in children primarily to:

Prevent febrile seizures

Improve comfort and reduce parental anxiety

Eliminate the underlying infection

Lower core body temperature permanently

17. Which sign or symptom would prompt you to suspect meningitis rather than simple febrile seizure?

Brief generalized seizure lasting 30 seconds

Neck stiffness, petechial rash, and altered mental status

Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) with flushed cheeks

Crying and irritability during fever

18. A parent asks if fever itself causes permanent brain damage. What is the most accurate response?

Fever below 104°F (40°C) does not cause brain damage

All high fevers cause some degree of neurological injury

Only fevers from infection cause damage

Fever duration, not temperature, determines risk

19. Which characteristic distinguishes a simple febrile seizure from a complex febrile seizure?

Simple seizures last less than 15 minutes and are generalized

Complex seizures always result in permanent brain damage

Simple seizures only occur in infants

Complex seizures never recur in subsequent fevers

20. Febrile seizures typically occur in children between which age ranges?

6 months to 6 years

Newborn to 12 months

3 to 8 years

1 to 3 years only

Peds Fever Quiz: When Should You Worry?