Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) AMCA Practice Exam

What term describes a fever that fluctuates, falling back to or below baseline before rising again?

1. Continuous

2. Intermittent

3. Remittent

4. Relapsing

The correct answer is: Intermittent

The term that describes a fever fluctuating with periods of temperature falling to or below baseline before rising again is 'intermittent.' This type of fever is characterized by clear cycles of fever and normal temperature, which can occur over hours or days. Intermittent fever often indicates that the underlying cause fluctuates in intensity or that the body's immune response varies over time. For example, this type of fever may be seen in infections such as malaria or during the recovery phase of certain illnesses. Understanding other terms highlights the uniqueness of intermittent fever. Continuous fever involves a sustained high temperature without significant fluctuations. Remittent fever is marked by fluctuations in temperature but does not return to baseline; it remains elevated. Relapsing fever is characterized by episodes of fever separated by periods of normal temperature but does not display the regular oscillation seen in intermittent fever.