Vital Signs: Temperature ORAL AND AXILLARY

Oral Temperature  Taken in the mouth, close to ______________________ under tongue  Most common, convenient, & comfortable method  Pt cannot ____________________________________for at least _________________________before measuring  Average oral temp = ______________ (37 C)  Normal oral range = __________________(36.5 C C)

Oral Temperature  Can be taken with _____________________ or ______________________________ thermometers 1.Electronic thermometers Oral use _______________ tip (red tip for rectal) Can use disposable plastic cover to prevent _______________________________________ Ensure batteries are not low-can lead to ________________________________ reading

Oral Temperature

2.Clinical thermometers aka ______________ thermometers Slender glass tube containing __________________________ or alcohol with red dye, which expands when exposed to heat Can use disposable ________________________________________ to prevent contamination Each long line is read as __________________________________ Each short line is read as ____________________________________ Long tip – see blue text book page 323_________________________ Security tip – see blue text book page 323 __________________________

Oral Temperature

 ______________________ to taking oral temp: Pt is _________________________ to hold thermometer in their mouth (_________________________________) Pt might ____________________ thermometer accidentally (seizures, uncooperative pt, shivering, mouth breather, _____________________________________________)

Oral Temperature with Clinical Thermometer  Introduce yourself, identify pt, explain procedure, wash your hands  Follow ______________________________________________  Hold thermometer securely to avoid ______________________  Read thermometer to be sure it reads _____________________  Check for _______________________– don’t use if they are present  Pt should hold in place with _______________, caution pt not to ___________________ it  Leave in place ____________________________________________

Oral Temperature with Clinical Thermometer  After removing from pt’s mouth, turn sheath ___________________________ to prevent contamination  Hold thermometer at __________________ and rotate until you see silver bar, then read where the ______________________  Do not hold the _______________________ when reading result – warmth of your hand can ______________________ the reading  If result is ___________________________, reinsert in pt’s mouth for another ________________________________

Oral Temperature with Clinical Thermometer  To record result, indicate ____________________ of temperature and appropriate _________________________________________(degrees F or C), method (route) is ___________ needed with oral temperature  Report to your supervisor any findings that are a __________________________________________ from previous result or _______________________ normal range

Oral Temperature with Electronic Thermometer  Introduce yourself, identify pt, explain procedure, wash your hands  Follow ________________________________________________  Use _____________________________________ or plastic sheath  Keep thermometer in mouth until it ______________________ the temperature has been reached  __________________________ cover or sheath  Read and ________________________ result

Oral Temperature with Electronic Thermometer  To record result, indicate _________________________________________and appropriate unit of measurement (degrees F or C), method (route) is ______________ needed with oral temperature  _______________________________________________a ny findings that are a significant change from previous result or outside normal range

Axillary Temperature  Can be taken with electronic (_______________ tip) or clinical thermometers  Taken under the ___________________________ between two folds of ________________________  Taken in the armpit=____________________________  Abbreviated _________________  Can also be taken in ______________ between two folds of skin formed between inner part of thigh and lower abd

Axillary Temperature  Ax and groin temp are ________________________ temps so ____________________ accurate  Average Ax temp = ________________________ (36.4 C)  Normal Ax range = _____________________(36 C – 37 C)

Axillary Temperature  Introduce yourself, identify pt, explain procedure, wash your hands  Follow standard precautions  Hold thermometer securely to avoid breaking  If glass-Read thermometer to be sure it reads __________  If glass-Check for chips or breaks – don’t use if they are present  Use a towel to _______________________________________ since moisture can alter temperature reading

Axillary Temperature  Do not rub armpit hard, it can ________________ the temperature  Raise pt’s arm and place _________________________________ of thermometer in the hollow of the axilla  Bring arm over the chest and rest hand on the _________ shoulder  Leave in place ____________________ for glass or until it ____________________ for electronic  If glass-Hold thermometer at eye level and rotate until you see silver bar, then read where the bar ends  If glass-Do not hold the bulb end when reading result – warmth of your hand can alter the reading

Axillary Temperature  To record result, indicate degree of temperature and appropriate unit of measurement (degrees F or C)  Also record ___________________ after the result to indicate it is an axillary temperature  _______________________ add a degree when recording the result  Report to your supervisor any findings that are a significant change from previous result or outside normal range