Body Temperature Mod E: Ch. 18

Body temperature (temp.) p. 306 One of the Vital (living) signs (VS) Fahrenheit scale: F, Celsius scale: C Balance of body heat produced and lost; we need a certain range to survive Fairly constant; lower in morning, higher in afternoon/evening Lower, the further away it’s measured from the body core, eg. Axillary vs. rectal Less stable in children; normal temp different at different ages Affected by: illness, environment, meds, age, infection, day time, exercise, emotions, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, crying, hydration etc. Excessive temp puts stress on vital body organs See Tables 18-1, 18-2, 18-3. Brain controls activities to regulate temp Heat: produced by metabolism (chemical reactions), muscular contractions, and in body core Lost by: blood bringing heat to skin, and respiration

Measuring body temp p. 307 Normal temp variations: (WNL= within normal limits); report abnormal readings to nurse according to facility policy, usually above 100 F Oral: WNL 97.6-99.6 F (36.5-37.5C); avg: 98.6 F; Record as: O 98.6 F Axillary: WNL 96.6-98.6 F (36-37C); avg 97.6 F; Record as: AX 97.6 F Rectal: WNL 98.6-100.6 F (37-38.1C); avg 99.6 F; Record as: PR 99.6 F Oral: most common NOT if pt: uncooperative, restless, unconscious, chilled, confused, coughing, under 6 yrs old, unable to breath through nose, oral surgery, irrational, receives O2 via mouth Wait 15 minutes after smoking, eating, drinking!! Place covered temp probe under pt’s tongue towards side of mouth Ask pt to close mouth and breathe through nose Hold thermometer until done Aural/tympanic (ear): fast, convenient; to straighten ear canal: kids under 3: pull pinna back and down over 3: pull pinna back and up Wait 15 minutes if pt has been outdoors or lying on that ear that’s being used Make sure you have a new cover and lens is clean

Measuring body temp p. 308 Rectal: most accurate (closest to body core); generally 1F (0.6C) higher than oral NOT if: diarrhea, fecal impaction, combative, rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids, rectal/colonic dsz or surgery, recent MI, recent prostate surgery, colostomy Pt will be put in _______________________ position Use lubricant before insertion Insert about 1inch towards belly button Must HOLD thermometer in place the whole time Axillary or groin: least accurate; generally 1F (0.6C) lower than oral Wipe axillary before measuring Hold thermometer in place the whole time See p. 311-316 for guidelines and procedures

Types of Thermometers p. 308 Glass: Slender glass tube with liquid Types: Oral; security; rectal – see Figure 18-2; Rectal thermometers are marked with a red dot at end Have to be “shaken down” before use Use disposable probe cover for each use Read at eye level Clean from end to tip with alcohol Need to hold in place for: 3 solid minutes for oral or rectal temp 10 solid minutes for axillary temp

Types of Thermometers p. 308 Electronic Battery operated Probe used to determine temperature Disposable sheet covers probe before use; discarded after every pt use Color coded: blue: oral or axillary; red: rectal Beeps when measurement complete (usually around 30 seconds) Digital display shows temp Digital Small, battery operated Beeps when measurement complete (usually 20-60 seconds) Disposable: plastic or paper; use once, then discard Tympanic Measures temp from blood vessels in the tympanic membrane (ear drum) Close to core temp Only accurate if used correctly Temporal

Homework: Textbook: Read Unit 18 Workbook: p Homework: Textbook: Read Unit 18 Workbook: p. 112 Read Unit Summary, Nursing assistant alert, Questions: Completion #18 all, #20, #21 all, True/False