Vital Signs: Temperature Health Science Internship C. Scroggins

Vital Signs: Everyone Needs Them Temperature Temperature Pulse Pulse Respirations Respirations Blood Pressure Blood Pressure T,P, R, & BP T,P, R, & BP

The 5 th Vital Sign? Can you guess what this might Can you guess what this might be? be?

Answer: Pain Measurement Scales Measurement Scales One to Ten One to Ten Pain Faces rating scale Pain Faces rating scale

Alteration in Vital Signs First indicator of change in patient’s status First indicator of change in patient’s status Discuss how these may change Discuss how these may change Temperature Temperature Respirations Respirations Pulse Pulse BP BP

Temperature: Physiology Review Measurement---Balance between heat lost & heat produced Measurement---Balance between heat lost & heat produced How is heat lost from our bodies? How is heat lost from our bodies?

Answer In humans---heat is lost via: In humans---heat is lost via: Perspiration Perspiration Respiration Respiration Excretion (urine & feces) Excretion (urine & feces)

Physiology Review continued Heat production Heat production Body temp regulation Body temp regulation Individual differences Individual differences

Temperature Variations Diurnal Diurnal Location Location

Normal Parameters Oral: 98.6 F Normal range: 97.6 to 99.6 Normal range: 97.6 to 99.6 Rectal: 99.6 F Normal Range: 98.6 to F Normal Range: 98.6 to F

Parameters Continued Axillary (under the armpit): 97.6F Axillary (under the armpit): 97.6F Normal Range: F Normal Range: F Groin: 97.6 F Normal Range: F

Some More, Folks! Aural / Tympanic (ear): Aural / Tympanic (ear): Why use the ear to measure temp? Why use the ear to measure temp? Temporal: 99.6 F Temporal: 99.6 F Normal range: 96.4—100.4 F Normal range: 96.4—100.4 F Why is this site used? Why is this site used?

Table 6-1 Temperature

Most Common Sites: Simple & Convenient Oral Oral Aural—do you remember where this site is located? Aural—do you remember where this site is located? Temporal Temporal

Review of Medical Terminology Febrile Febrile Afebrile Afebrile Hypothermia Hypothermia Hyperthermia Hyperthermia

Accuracy Most accurate---rectal, aural, temporal Most accurate---rectal, aural, temporal Least accurate--axillary Least accurate--axillary

Disadvantages Oral temp Oral temp When should you not use this method? When should you not use this method? What might interfere with accuracy? What might interfere with accuracy?

Other Disadvantages Rectal temp Rectal temp Contraindicated for use in Contraindicated for use in Cardiac Patients Cardiac Patients Rectal bleeding/ surgery/hemorrhoids Rectal bleeding/ surgery/hemorrhoids Newborns Newborns

Disadvantage— Aural/Tympanic (ear) Insertion Insertion Technique Technique

It’s the Pits: Disadvantage of Axillary Temp Measurement Measures variable skin surface temp Measures variable skin surface temp Altered by perspiration Altered by perspiration

Influencing factors Those which increase temp: Those which increase temp: Exercise Exercise Environmental temp Environmental temp Illness Illness Infection Infection Excitement/ Anxiety Excitement/ Anxiety

More influencing factors Those which decrease temp: Those which decrease temp: Sleep Sleep Fasting Fasting Cold exposure Cold exposure Certain illnesses Certain illnesses Mouth breathing Mouth breathing Depression Depression

Think about it Your 78 year old patient is recovering from hip surgery. His temporal temp in the early morning is F and he is very restless. Your 78 year old patient is recovering from hip surgery. His temporal temp in the early morning is F and he is very restless. what should you do? what should you do? Try cooling measures Try cooling measures Nothing, just watch it Nothing, just watch it Call the healthcare provider Call the healthcare provider

Let’s Document Rectal 99.6 Rectal 97.6 Axillary 97.6 Axillary 99.8 Temporal 99.8 Temporal Aural Aural