Final answer:
When a person has a high temperature, it's important to monitor their body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, as variations in these vital signs can indicate the body's response to fever and the need for medical intervention. The correct option is D) Body temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person has a high temperature, you should assess and monitor various vital signs to understand the impact of fever on the body and to guide treatment decisions. These include:
- Body temperature: A high body temperature, or hyperthermia, signifies a fever and the need to monitor for changes and trends over time.
- Heart rate: Increases with hyperthermia, therefore it is important to monitor for tachycardia or irregular rhythms that may result from a high fever.
- Respiratory rate: This can change due to the body's need to regulate temperature and cope with metabolic demands during fever.
- Blood pressure: It can be affected by body temperature changes and should be monitored to ensure the patient maintains adequate perfusion.
Understanding the interplay of these vital signs and the body's response to fever is crucial for managing a patient's health. Integrating this knowledge can help in the early detection of complications and the initiation of appropriate interventions.
The correct option is D) Body temperature.