The patient has a temperature of 38.0 C two days after a myocardial infarction. The nurse understands this fever is most likely due to which?

• A. A normal immune response
• B. Bacterial infection
• C. Medication reaction
• D. Anxiety-induced fever

Answer: (A)

A mild fever within the first couple of days after a myocardial infarction is a normal inflammatory response to damaged heart tissue. When the myocardium is injured, inflammatory mediators are released and act on the hypothalamus to raise the body’s temperature set point. This cytokine-driven response commonly produces a low-grade fever like 38.0 C, which fits the expected post-infarct physiology.

This is not typically due to infection, medication reaction, or anxiety. If fever persists longer or if there are other signs of infection (worsening chest symptoms, localized findings, abnormal white blood cell count), then reassessment for infection would be warranted.