1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
AGACNP Barkley Review:
Combined Questions and Correct
Answers | Latest Update
What causes fever?
→ ~:- *ABCDEFGHIMN*
→ *Auto-immune* - SLE, GCA
→ *Blood* - Heme/Onc - Leukemia/Lymphoma
→ *Cancer*
→ *Drugs* - Amphotericin B, Beta-lactam abx, procainamide
→ *Endo* - hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma
→ *Familial mediterranean fever*
→ *GI* - intra-abdominal abscess, IBD
→ *Heart*- MI, endocarditis
→ *Infection* - bacterial, viral, fungal, parasites, etc.
→ *Misc* - Hematoma
→ *Neuro* - tumor, ICH, MS - interfere w/ thermoregulatory process
What is malignant hyperthermia?
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
→ ~:- *high fever d/t succinylcholine*
→ usu given in OR to relax laryngeal muscle
→ contraindicated to succs? hyperkalemia
→ *Tx: dantrolene - reversal for succs*
What is the treatment for fever?
→ ~:- 1. antimicrobials only when a microbe is present
2. antipyretics
3. tx underlying condition
What are the causes of non-infectious post-op fever?
→ ~:- 1. post-op atelectasis
2. increased basic metabolic rate
3. dehydration
4. drug reactions: Amphotericin B, trimethoprim-sulfamethazole, beta-lactam
(abx), procainamide, isoniazid, alpha-methyldopa, quinidine, etc.
What would prompt you to think that a post-op fever is infectious?
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
→ ~:- 1. usu accompanied by subjective complaints & a WBC elevation
with *left shift* (i.e., bandemia)
2. WBC >30k is usu not d/t infection
3. *surgical incisions*
4. *point of entry for any catheter, culture it*
5. UTI
6. lungs
7. sinusitis
8. abscess (e.g., intra-abd)
normal WBC - 5-10k
sinusitis - 12k
cellulitis - 17k
septic shock - 20-22k
leukemia - 30k
what is the initial tx for post-op fever in the absence of information of
infection?
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
→ ~:- Hydration + measures to expand lungs
what is the treatment for infectious post-op fever?
→ ~:- -IVF + APAP
-tx underlying source
-gram stain, C&S, all invasive lines or catheters, as indicated
**before cultures, do not give APAP or IVF. Do not suppress anti-inflammatory
response bec you want to culture at maximum inflammation response, then
broad spectrum abx, IVF, & APAP, then narrow once culture comes back.
what are the components of headache evaluation?
→ ~:- 1. chronology - most impt hx item
2. location, duration, quality
3. associated activity - i.e. exertion, sleep, tension, relaxation
4. timing of menstrual cycle
5. presence of assoc symptoms
6. presence of "triggers"
What is the lab/diagnostic test and treatment for tension headache?
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
