Final answer:
The 6-year-old boy is at risk for developing dyspnea due to the physiological response to fever. When the body temperature increases, it triggers increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and constriction of blood vessels, which puts stress on the respiratory system. This can lead to shortness of breath.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiological process that explains why the 6-year-old boy is at risk for developing dyspnea (shortness of breath) is the response to fever. Fever is a natural defense mechanism in the body that helps fight off infections. When the body temperature increases due to fever, the hypothalamus in the brain triggers various responses, including increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and constriction of blood vessels in the skin. These responses help the body generate heat and retain it, but they also put stress on the respiratory system, leading to dyspnea. In the case of the boy with a fever of 104°F (40°C), the high temperature is causing the body to respond by increasing his respiratory rate, and this can result in dyspnea.