Temperature
Content
Lei Anne Victoria B. Ocampo Allison Rebong HNF 61 – Y Body Temperature Body temperature (also known as normothermia or euthermia) is the measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat. It depends upon the place in the body at which the measurement is made, time of the day, and level of activity of the person.
Methods of measurement
In the anus (rectal temperature) In the mouth (oral temperature) Under the arm (axillary temperature) In the ear (tympanic temperature) In the vagina (vaginal temperature) In the urethra (urethral temperature) On the skin of the forehead Over the over the temporal artery In the gut (by swallowing a small thermometer)
Measurement devices
1. Glass thermometer (mouth, armpit, rectum) - thermometer consisting of mercury contained in a bulb at the bottom of a graduated sealed glass capillary tube marked in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit; mercury expands with a rise in temperature causing a thin thread of mercury to rise in the tube.
2. Electronic thermometer - a clinical thermometer that uses a sensor based on THERMISTORS, solid-state electronic devices whose electrical characteristics change with temperature. The reading is recorded within seconds, some having a red light or other device to indicate when maximum temperature is reached.
3. Plastic thermometer strip (forehead) - a disposable strip of plastic with liquid crystals embedded into the strip. To take a person’s temperature, one places the strip against the person’s forehead. The liquid crystals react with the temperature of the skin. After waiting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the brand, the crystals will change color. The thermometers have a number line that shows the temperature based on the color displayed
4. Tympanic Membrane or Ear thermometer - detects infrared heat emission from the tympanic membrane; measurement is taken within a second, thus more popular for use with children
Steps in Getting Temperature (the common methods) 1. Oral Temperature a. Use a glass thermometer, then shake the mercury down. b. Place the thermometer under the child's tongue, with the bulb toward the back of the mouth. Tell the child to keep the lips firmly closed, but not to bite the thermometer. c. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes. d. Remove the thermometer and read it. 2. Rectal Temperature (for infants) a. Place a dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the thermometer bulb. b. Lay the child on his or her stomach. c. Shake the mercury down then carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum. d. Shake the mercury down then carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum. e. Remove the thermometer and read it. (You may need to wipe it clean with a tissue before reading it.)
3. Axillary Temperature a. Make sure the patient’s under arm space is dry. b. After shaking down the thermometer, place it under the patient's arm. Fold the patient's arm across his/her chest to keep the thermometer in place c. Hold the thermometer in place for 3 to 5 minutes. d. Remove the thermometer and read it.
Temperature Classification
Core (rectal, esophageal, etc.) Hypothermia Normal
Fever <35.0 °C (95.0 °F) 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) >40.0–41.5 °C (104–106.7 °F) Note: The difference between fever and hyperthermia is the mechanism.
Hyperthermia Hyperpyrexia
Changes in the normal temperature 1. Fever (aka Pyrexia) -happens when the set point temperature is raised -increased muscle tone and chills Treatment: antipyretic medications 2. Hyperthermia -happens when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate -usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures Treatment: cooling and rehydration; medications are useless 3. Hypothermia -body temperature drops below the temperature required for normal metabolism -usually caused by excessive exposure to cold air or water
Methods of measurement
In the anus (rectal temperature) In the mouth (oral temperature) Under the arm (axillary temperature) In the ear (tympanic temperature) In the vagina (vaginal temperature) In the urethra (urethral temperature) On the skin of the forehead Over the over the temporal artery In the gut (by swallowing a small thermometer)
Measurement devices
1. Glass thermometer (mouth, armpit, rectum) - thermometer consisting of mercury contained in a bulb at the bottom of a graduated sealed glass capillary tube marked in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit; mercury expands with a rise in temperature causing a thin thread of mercury to rise in the tube.
2. Electronic thermometer - a clinical thermometer that uses a sensor based on THERMISTORS, solid-state electronic devices whose electrical characteristics change with temperature. The reading is recorded within seconds, some having a red light or other device to indicate when maximum temperature is reached.
3. Plastic thermometer strip (forehead) - a disposable strip of plastic with liquid crystals embedded into the strip. To take a person’s temperature, one places the strip against the person’s forehead. The liquid crystals react with the temperature of the skin. After waiting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the brand, the crystals will change color. The thermometers have a number line that shows the temperature based on the color displayed
4. Tympanic Membrane or Ear thermometer - detects infrared heat emission from the tympanic membrane; measurement is taken within a second, thus more popular for use with children
Steps in Getting Temperature (the common methods) 1. Oral Temperature a. Use a glass thermometer, then shake the mercury down. b. Place the thermometer under the child's tongue, with the bulb toward the back of the mouth. Tell the child to keep the lips firmly closed, but not to bite the thermometer. c. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes. d. Remove the thermometer and read it. 2. Rectal Temperature (for infants) a. Place a dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the thermometer bulb. b. Lay the child on his or her stomach. c. Shake the mercury down then carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum. d. Shake the mercury down then carefully insert the bulb one-half inch to one inch into the rectum. e. Remove the thermometer and read it. (You may need to wipe it clean with a tissue before reading it.)
3. Axillary Temperature a. Make sure the patient’s under arm space is dry. b. After shaking down the thermometer, place it under the patient's arm. Fold the patient's arm across his/her chest to keep the thermometer in place c. Hold the thermometer in place for 3 to 5 minutes. d. Remove the thermometer and read it.
Temperature Classification
Core (rectal, esophageal, etc.) Hypothermia Normal
Fever <35.0 °C (95.0 °F) 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) >37.5–38.3 °C (99.5–100.9 °F) >40.0–41.5 °C (104–106.7 °F) Note: The difference between fever and hyperthermia is the mechanism.
Hyperthermia Hyperpyrexia
Changes in the normal temperature 1. Fever (aka Pyrexia) -happens when the set point temperature is raised -increased muscle tone and chills Treatment: antipyretic medications 2. Hyperthermia -happens when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate -usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures Treatment: cooling and rehydration; medications are useless 3. Hypothermia -body temperature drops below the temperature required for normal metabolism -usually caused by excessive exposure to cold air or water
