What percent change in metabolic rate would you expect if a patient has a fever of 103° F?

a. 10% increase c. 44% increase
b. 20% increase d. 25% decrease

ANS: C
An increase in body temperature of 1° F will cause a 10% increase in metabolic rate. If the pa-tient has a fever of 103° F, subtracting 98.6° F from the 103° F yields 4.4° F. A 1° F increase causes a 10% rise in metabolic rate, so 4.4 ? 10% will equal a 44% increase.