Case Study: Application of Warm Compresses to Reduce Hyperthermia in Children with Febrile Seizures

Abstract

Children are more susceptible to infectious diseases, which often cause high fever. When the fever experiences a continuous increase in temperature above 38⁰C, it will result in febrile seizures in children. Recurrent and untreated febrile seizures can have long-term impacts, such as neurological and behavioral disorders, and can increase the mortality rate in children. This research contributed to applying warm compresses to reduce hyperthermia. The research design uses a descriptive method with a case study approach with one research sample. This research uses a bleeding maintenance process approach starting from assessment, diagnosis, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. The research results showed a case study of a child patient with febrile seizures who had problems with hyperthermia on the first day. An assessment was carried out on the first day; the body temperature was measured at 38.50C (the skin looked reddish and felt warm), and I had one seizure. The interventions and implementation provided to children are based on SIKI standards (Indonesian Nursing Intervention Standards). The nursing implementation in this case study was planned to overcome the problem of hyperthermia by applying warm compresses. Warm compresses are applied for three days, lasting 30 minutes and 2 hours before administering the drug. Implementation was carried out on February 20–22, 2023. After hyperthermia management, temperature regulation, and warm compresses on the third day of evaluation, the results showed a temperature of 36.5 °C with no recurrent seizures occurring. The conclusion is that there is a significant change due to the effect of warm compresses on reducing body temperature in pediatric patients with hyperthermia in cases of febrile seizures.