A patient’s temperature is 36.6 degrees Celsius. How should you explain this in Fahrenheit to the patient who asked, given it is roughly normal?

A patient’s temperature is 36.6 degrees Celsius. How should you explain this in Fahrenheit to the patient who asked, given it is roughly normal?

• A. Yes, it is the same as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
• B. It is about 98, almost the same as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and is normal.
• C. No, it is 99.7 degrees Fahrenheit and is slightly elevated.
• D. It is quite a bit lower than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and shows you are cold.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is converting Celsius to Fahrenheit and understanding the normal temperature range. A temperature of 36.6°C is about 97.9°F, so telling the patient it’s “about 98°F” is accurate. That value is very close to 98.6°F and lies within the normal range (roughly 97°F to 99°F, though ranges can vary). So describing it as about 98°F and normal explains both the approximate conversion and the fact that there’s no fever.

The key idea is converting Celsius to Fahrenheit and understanding the normal temperature range. A temperature of 36.6°C is about 97.9°F, so telling the patient it’s “about 98°F” is accurate. That value is very close to 98.6°F and lies within the normal range (roughly 97°F to 99°F, though ranges can vary). So describing it as about 98°F and normal explains both the approximate conversion and the fact that there’s no fever.