Measuring temperature Flashcards
Is the core or peripheral temperature a better representation of the human thermal status?
Core temperature is better representation
Peripheral temperature is influenced more by external environmental changes and thermoregulatory vasoconstriction
When measuring temperature orally, where in the mouth do you insert the temperature probe?
Sublingual pocket of mouth, which is under the tongue
Give 2 environmental factors that can make temperature readings unreliable when measured orally, and what type of body temperature does this represent more closely?
Patient smoked before, which increases temperature
Patient drank cold/hot drink before, which decreases/increases temperature
Represents peripheral temp more than core temp
Give one benefit and disadvantage of measuring temperature orally in clinical settings?
Measuring orally is quick and not as invasive as other methods such as rectal
Increases chances of mouth-mouth cross infection
What is the most accurate method to measure core temperature, and give 2 reasons why?
Rectal measurement
Smaller range of values
High precision
Give 3 disadvantages of rectal measurement of core temperature?
Conscious patients might get feeling of fullness after probe insertion and defecate
Insertion causes pain and discomfort, especially if patient has perirectal infection or perianal abscess
Can be psychologically harmful, especially for children
Where is axillary measurement done, and what type of body temperature does this closely represent?
Measured under armpit, and represents peripheral temp more closely than core temp
Why is axillary measurement an unreliable method for measuring core temperature?
Influenced by ambient temperature, sweating and evaporation
How is tympanic temperature measured, and is this more representative of peripheral or core temp?
Thermometer is inserted into ear canal
More representative of core temperature
Why is tympanic measurement a accurate method to measure core body temperature?
Tympanic membrane is close to hypothalamus, as they are supplied by carotid artery
Proximity of hypothalamus increases accuracy, as core temp reflects thermal status organ and tympanic is close to brain
What does core body temperature reflect?
Temperature of body internal organs
How is temporal artery measurement of body temperature done, and is it more representative of peripheral or core temperature?
Measure temp of skin over forehead, as temporal artery runs across forehead
Unreliable method to measure core temperature
What is the normal range of core body temperature in adults?
36-37.5 degrees Celsius
At what temperature is a patient classed as hypothermic?
35 degrees Celsius and lower
At what temperature does a patient have a fever?
38 degrees Celsius and higher
This is also referred to as hyperthermia
