14.2 - Measuring and Recording Temperature Unit 14 14.2 - Measuring and Recording Temperature

What is temperature? The balance between heat lost and heat produced by the body

Why might temperature vary? Individual differences Time of day Parts of the body

Normal Range for Body Temperature 97 – 100° F or 36.1 – 37.8° C Normal reading and times by method Oral 98.6°F or 37°C 3-5 min Rectal 99.6° or 37.6°C Axillary 97.6°F or 36.4°C 10 min

Most accurate method of measurement? Rectal – because it is an internal measurement

Least accurate method of measurement? Axillary or groin – because it is an external measurement

What is “aural” temperature? Temperature recorded in ear or auditory canal Measures thermal infrared energy radiating from tympanic membrane or eardrum

Hyperthermia or Hypothermia? Hyperthermia is high body temperature above 104°F (40°C) Hypothermia is low body temperature below 95°F (35°C)

Oral or Rectal clinical thermometer? A rectal thermometer has a short, stubby rounded bulb and can have a red tip

How do you clean up and dispose of a broken clinical thermometer? Put on gloves, use two cards to push droplets of mercury and glass into a plastic container with a tight fitting lid, wipe area with a damp sponge, put all cleanup material into plastic container, label “Mercury for recycling,” and take tightly sealed container to mercury recycling center

How do you prevent cross-contamination while using the probe of an electronic thermometer? Place a disposable cover over the probe

How do plastic and paper thermometers register temperature? Special chemical dots or strips change color when exposed to specific temperatures

What if the patient has eaten, smoked, or had something to drink shortly before taking a temperature? These can all alter the temperature in the mouth

How long should a thermometer soak in disinfectant (after cleaning) before it is safe to rinse in cold water and use on a patient? 30 minutes

Use the thermometer below to answer question 17.