Which term is defined as a medication that reduces fever?

Which term is defined as a medication that reduces fever?

• A. Antipyretic
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Hypoxemia
• D. Anoxia

Answer: (A)

An antipyretic is a medicine that reduces fever. Fever happens when the body's thermostat in the hypothalamus is raised by pyrogens, and antipyretics lower that elevated set point by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the brain. This causes the body to lose heat through vasodilation and sweating, bringing temperature back toward normal. Examples include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The other terms describe different problems: orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying flat, hypoxemia is low blood oxygen, and anoxia is a complete lack of oxygen.

An antipyretic is a medicine that reduces fever. Fever happens when the body's thermostat in the hypothalamus is raised by pyrogens, and antipyretics lower that elevated set point by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the brain. This causes the body to lose heat through vasodilation and sweating, bringing temperature back toward normal. Examples include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The other terms describe different problems: orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying flat, hypoxemia is low blood oxygen, and anoxia is a complete lack of oxygen.