Why is fever control important in traumatic brain injury?

• A. Fever reduces ICP
• B. Fever improves perfusion
• C. Fever has no impact
• D. Fever worsens neurological injury and outcomes; manage with antipyretics and cooling as needed

Answer: (D)

Fever after traumatic brain injury worsens secondary brain injury by increasing brain metabolic demand, promoting inflammation, and potentially raising intracranial pressure, all of which can amplify injury and worsen outcomes. Keeping the patient normothermic with antipyretics and cooling as needed helps limit this secondary damage and is associated with better neurologic results. Fever does not reduce intracranial pressure or improve perfusion; in fact, it tends to worsen both, so fever control is an important part of TBI care.