1. Temperatures

2.  amount of heat in the body  Body heat is produced when food is used for energy  Heat is lost through breath, urine, feces, and skin

3.  Reflects a balance between the heat created by our bodies and the heat lost to the environment  Usually remains fairly constant but is affected by the circadian rhythm (the 24-hour day- night cycle  Slightly lower in the am  Slightly higher in the pm

4.  Normal readings vary from person to person and with method used  Rectum (rectal) – most accurate 98.6 – 100.6  Mouth (oral) – most often 97.6 – 99.6  Axilla (axillary) – least accurate 96.6 – 98.6  Ear (tympanic) – can be adjusted for oral or axillary

5.  Mercury-free glass  More common  Can be used for oral or rectal  Are considered safer

6.  Mercury glass (glass bulb)  Heat expands the mercury  Mercury is a dangerous, toxic substance  Use is discouraged in most facilities  Can be used for oral, rectal, or axillary  Shape and color are different for rectal and oral thermometers. Never switch use!  Red, round (or blunt) = rectal  Blue or Green, long & slim= oral

7.  Are marked in F. or C. Long lines are one degree of temperature and short lines are 0.2 degrees for F.  Must be shaken down before and after  Always use thermometer condoms or sheaths  Always check for chips or breaks  Could injure if chipped or cracked  Leave in place for 3 to 5 minutes  Always use cool water to clean or use an alcohol prep from clean to dirty

8. Thermometer Sheaths How thermometer looks to read

10.  Battery-powered, digital, or electronic  Display results digitally  Are quicker  Will beep or flash when the temp has registered  May be used to take oral, rectal or axillary  Remove probe from base unit if electronic  Put on a disposable sheath or probe cover  Turn on thermometer and wait until “ready “ sign appears  Insert the end into the resident’s mouth, under tongue and to one side  Leave in place until you hear a tone or beep or blinks  Using a tissue, remove and dispose of sheath for digital  Press the eject button to discard the cover and return the probe to the holder

12.  Disposable  Single use and usually individually wrapped  Usually a colored dot shows the temperature  Single use prevents infection  Depending on the type may be used for oral, axillary, or rectal  Some may be laid across the child’s forehead

13.  Should not be taken on a person who:  Is unconscious  Has had recent facial or oral surgery  Younger than 5 years old  Is confused  Is heavily sedated  Is coughing  Is being administered oxygen  Has facial paralysis  Has an NG tube

14.  Drinking  Eating  Smoking  Chewing Gum  Some mints  You should wait about 15 minutes after any of the above, before taking

15.  May take more practice to be accurate  May not be as common  Need to be set for adult or child  Position the resident’s head so that the ear is in front of you  Straighten the ear canal by pulling up and back on the outside edge of the ear  Insert the covered probe into the ear canal  Press the button  Hold the thermometer in place either for one second or until thermometer blinks or beeps  Read temperature  Dispose of sheath

17.  Measures heat from skin over the temporal artery  Gentle stroke or scan across the forehead  Non-invasive

18.  Remove patient’s arm from sleeve of gown or top to allow skin contact with the end of the thermometer  Wipe Axillary area with tissues before placing the thermometer  Leave in place 8 to 10 minutes for glass and until beeps or blinks for digital and electronic  Remove from underarm and wipe glass thermometer with a tissue, use a tissue to remove sheath or press button to eject probe cover

19.  Do not take if patient has a rectal injury or has had rectal surgery  Wash hands  Patient should be lying down and on their side  Put on gloves  Apply lubricant to thermometer  Expose rectal area only  Raise upper buttock with one hand  Gently insert 1 inch for glass and 1/2inch for electric

20.  Hold thermometer to prevent thermometer from being drawn in, being pushed out, or patient turning onto it  Leave in place 3 minutes  Remove and wipe with a tissue or remove probe or condom  Read the thermometer  Position patient to comfort  Remove gloves  Wash hands