USMLE Adviser
Fever: Step-by-Step Approach (Flowchart)
This is the complete fever flowchart from the USMLE Adviser e-book, shared free. It turns the presentation into a short series of yes/no questions, the way Step 2 CK and Step 3 vignettes are reasoned through. The same logic is written out as text below the image.
The flowchart, step by step
- Unstable / organ dysfunction?
- Yes → Headache / neck stiffness?
- Yes → Meningitis
- No → Sepsis
- No → Localizing symptoms?
- Yes → Cough / dyspnea?
- Yes → Pneumonia
- No → Urinary / flank pain?
- Yes → Pyelonephritis
- No → Abdominal / skin findings?
- Yes → Intra-abdominal infection
- No → Skin / soft-tissue infection
- No → New medication?
- Yes → Drug fever
- No → Joint pain / rash?
- Yes → Autoimmune / inflammatory disease
- No → Malignancy
- Yes → Cough / dyspnea?
- Yes → Headache / neck stiffness?
Diagnoses covered
Meningitis, Sepsis, Pneumonia, Pyelonephritis, Intra-abdominal infection, Skin / soft-tissue infection, Drug fever, Autoimmune / inflammatory disease, Malignancy.
FAQs
What is the first question in the fever flowchart?
The flowchart starts with Unstable / organ dysfunction? Each answer leads to the next yes/no decision until you reach a likely diagnosis.
Which diagnoses does this flowchart cover?
Meningitis, Sepsis, Pneumonia, Pyelonephritis, Intra-abdominal infection, Skin / soft-tissue infection, Drug fever, Autoimmune / inflammatory disease, Malignancy.
Is this the full flowchart from the e-book?
Yes. This is page 8 of the USMLE Adviser e-book, shared free. The full e-book has 232 flowcharts.
Related flowcharts
Want all 232 flowcharts?
The USMLE Adviser e-book has 232 one-page clinical flowcharts across 19 specialties for Step 2 CK, Step 3 and the Match. Instant digital download.
From Clinical Algorithms: Volumes 1 & 2 by Dr. Adnan Memon, MD (page 8). Reviewed by the USMLE Adviser Team. For exam preparation only, not medical advice.