1. Temperature

2. Temperature TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lessons 1. Temperature Go 2. Glass/Mercury Thermometers Go 3. Oral Temperature Go 4. Tympanic Temperature Go
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Lesson 1– Temperature
Measures balance between heat body loses and heat body produces
Heat lost through perspiration, respiration, excretion, and slow metabolism
Heat produced by metabolism, and muscle and gland activity
Temperature
Temperature is one of the four vital signs. Temperature measures the balance between the heat the body loses and the heat the body produces.
Heat can be lost through perspiration, respiration, excretion and slow body metabolism. Heat is produced by metabolism, and muscle and gland activity.

4. Lesson 1– Homeostasis
Stable condition of body’s organs, tissues, and systems
Abnormal temperature affects homeostasis, which affects health of patient
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the stable condition inside the body. Homeostasis occurs when all the organs, tissues, and systems in the body are functioning correctly.
Many chemical reactions in the body are regulated by temperature. If body temperature is abnormal, too high or too low, homeostasis can be affected. Changes to homeostasis can result in fever or other temperature-related health issues.

5. Lesson 1– Methods for Taking Temperature
Tympanic
Oral
Avg F and 37 C
Rectal
Internal=most accurate
Avg F and 37.6 C
Axillary
External=less accurate
Avg F and 36.4 C
Methods for Taking Temperature
There are four methods for taking temperature: tympanic, oral, rectal, and axillary or groin.
Tympanic temperatures are taken in the ear canal. Tympanic is the fastest way to take a temperature. A special thermometer, called a tympanic thermometer, is used. It reads the core temperature of the body.
Oral temperatures are taken in the mouth, typically with a digital thermometer. This method is convenient and comfortable.
The normal range for an oral temperature is 97.6°-99.6°F and 36.5°-37.5°C.
The average temperature is 98.6°F and 37°C.
Rectal temperatures are taken in the rectum. Rectal temperatures are internal and, therefore, most accurate. Rectal temperatures are most often used for infants.
The normal range for a rectal temperature is 98.6°-100.6°F and 37°-38.1°C.
The average temperature is 99.6°F and 37.6°C.
Axillary temperatures are taken in the armpit. Groin temperatures are taken between the folds of the skin between the inner thigh and the lower abdomen. Axillary and groin temperatures are external and, therefore, less accurate than an internal temperature.
The normal range for an axillary or groin temperature is 96.6°-98.6°F and 36°-37°C.
The average temperature is 97.6°F and 36.4°C.

6. Lesson 1– Factor that Affect Temperature
Increase in temperature Illness, infection, exercise, air temperature
Decrease in temperature Starvation, sleep, decreased muscle activity, disease, air temperature
Other factors include mouth-breathing, metabolism, time of day
Factors that Affect Temperature
Body temperature can be affected by many things.
Factors that can lead to increased body temperature include illness, infection, exercise, excitement, and high temperature in the environment.
Factors that can lead to decreased body temperature include starvation or fasting, sleep, decreased muscle activity, disease, and cold temperatures in the environment.
Some other factors worth mentioning include mouth-breathing, metabolism, and time of day. Mouth-breathing can result in a lower reading if the temperature is taken orally. Individuals with high metabolism may have an increased body temperature, while those with low metabolism may have a decreased body temperature. Finally, temperatures taken in the morning may be lower after the body has rested. This rested state is known as Basal metabolic temperature, or BMT. Temperatures taken in the evening tend to be higher after a day of muscular activity and food intake.

7. Lesson 1– Abnormal Temperatures
Hypothermia
Rectal below 95 F
Death below 93 F
Fever
Rectal above 101 F
Hyperthermia
Rectal above 104 F
Extremely dangerous over 106 F
Abnormal Temperatures
Abnormal temperatures are those that are very high or very low. Abnormal temperatures indicate disease and serious health issues, such as hypothermia, fever, and hyperthermia.
Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to cold temperatures in the environment for extended periods of time. A patient with hypothermia will have a rectal temperature reading below 95°F or 35°C. Hypothermia can lead to death if a patient’s temperature falls below 93°F or 33°C for a period of time.
Fever is typically caused by infection or injury. A patient with fever is said to be febrile and will have a rectal temperature above 101°F or 38.3°C. A patient without a fever is said to be afebrile.
Hyperthermia can be caused by exposure to high temperatures in the environment for extended periods of time, brain damage, and serious infections. A patient with hyperthermia will have a rectal temperature reading above 104°F or 40°C. Hyperthermia can lead to convulsions, brain damage, and even death if a patient’s temperature rises above 106°F or 41.1°C. Immediate action should be taken to lower the body temperature.

8. Lesson 1– Types of Thermometers
Clinical or glass/mercury
Electronic
Tympanic
Plastic and paper
Types of Thermometers
Just as there are several methods for taking temperature, there are also several types of thermometers used to measure temperature. Common types of thermometers include clinical, also called glass/mercury, electronic, tympanic, and plastic and paper thermometers.

9. Lesson 2– Glass/Mercury Thermometers
Used for oral, rectal, and axillary
Mercury spills must be cleaned using Hazardous Materials kit.
Rarely used in facilities today, but important to be familiar with them
Glass/Mercury Thermometers
Clinical, or glass/mercury, thermometers can be used for oral, rectal, or axillary temperatures.
Glass thermometers contain mercury, which is a dangerous element. Although the thermometers are safe when they are intact, broken thermometers can release mercury into the environment. Mercury spills must be cleaned up very carefully with a Hazardous Materials kit according to strict guidelines.
Because of the threat of mercury spills and leaks, glass thermometers are rarely used today. However, it is important to know how to use and read a glass thermometer correctly.

10. Lesson 2– Reading a Glass Thermometer
Hold by stem, at eye level
Rod marked with long lines (whole degrees) and short lines (even tenths)
A reading between tenths should be rounded up
Reading a Glass Thermometer
Glass thermometers are read by locating the mercury column inside the glass rod. The point where the mercury stops is the body temperature.
The glass rod is marked with long lines for whole degrees and short lines in between for the even numbered tenths, for example 2/10 and 4/10. A reading that falls between tenths should be rounded up to the higher tenth.
To read a glass thermometer, it should be held by the stem at eye level. Then the thermometer can be rotated until the mercury column can be seen inside the glass rod.

11. Lesson 3– Oral Temperature
Used for oral, rectal, or axillary
Safe and easy to use
A sheath covers the thermometer and is replaced before each use.
Displays temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius
Electronic Thermometers
Electronic thermometers for the most part have replaced glass thermometers. Electronic thermometers are easy to use.
Disposable plastic sheaths are placed over the thermometers before using them. When finished, the sheaths can be removed easily and the thermometer is ready to be used again.
Electronic thermometers typically have a viewer that displays the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. They can be used for oral, rectal, or axillary temperatures.

12. Lesson 4– Tympanic Temperature
Used for aural (ear)
Fast and convenient
Disposable covers
Reading in less than two seconds
Tympanic Thermometers
Tympanic thermometers are special electronic thermometers that are used to record the aural temperature in the ear. These thermometers are widely used because they are fast and convenient.
Like other electronic thermometers, tympanic thermometers have disposable plastic covers to prevent cross-contamination, which eliminates the need to sterilize the thermometer between every use. Additionally, the tympanic thermometer will take a reading in less than two seconds.