Stephanie Oliver, DNP, RN Temperature Stephanie Oliver, DNP, RN

Body Temperature Difference between the amount of heat produced by body processes and the amount of heat lost to external environment Heat produced – Heat lost = Body temperature

Conversion of Fahrenheit and Celsius F = (C x 9/5 or 1.8) + 32 C = (F – 32) x 5/9 or 0.5556

Normal Range Throughout Life Cycle Newborn range – 95.9- 99.5F Infants and children – same as adults Elderly – Avg 96.8F Adults- 97- 100 degree F Adult Avg 98.6 F Oral Adult Avg 99.6 F Rectal Adult Avg 97.6 F Ax

Factors Affecting Body Temp Age ( newborn- temp control mechanism immature, elderly- sensitive to temp changes) Circadian rhythm (temp normally changes 0.9 to 1.8 degree F /24hr Lowest 1-4AM Max-6PM ) Stress Environment Exercise Hormonal level

TEMPERATURE Body temperature can be measured several different ways: oral, axillary, rectal, temporal and tympanic Rectal temperature is the most accurate, but mostly used on infants and small children Mercury thermometers are no longer used because of the dangers of a mercury spill

TYPES OF THERMOMETERS

READING A THERMOMETER

Oral Temperature Accessible Dependable Accurate Convenient

Oral Temperature Wait 15-30 minutes after eating, drinking, chewing gum or smoking If mouth breather-do not take orally Leave in place 3–5 minutes with glass thermometer

Axillary Temperature Safe Non-invasive Least accurate Hold glass thermometer in place for 10 min

Tympanic Temperature Non-invasive Safe Accurate Disadvantages Excessive cerumen Improper technique Adults–pull pinna of ear up & back Children-under 3y/o-pull pinna of ear down & back

Temporal Thermometer

Rectal Temperature MOST accurate MUST hold thermometer in place DO Not take hand from thermometer while rectal in progress Use on patients with very high temp, unconscious, infants, toddlers Do not take rectal temp on clients with heart conditions Leave in place 3-5 min with glass thermometer Lubricate thermometer