1	Vital Signs Part 1 – The Measurement of Temperature
2	Welcome Welcome to this self-study lesson on measuring body temperature. This is the 1st lesson in the self-study series on “Vital Signs”
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4	More Tips . . .
5	On completion of this section on temperature measurement you should be able to: Identify key issues related to the measurement of body temperature. Recall parameters for normal body temperature measurements in key age groups. Select the safest, most reliable method for measuring temperature appropriate for age group and circumstance.
6	Learning Check A checkmark indicates a point to stop and check what you have learned. These screens are designed to help you master the material.
7	Defining Fever ‘Normal’ body temperature is not just one temperature -but rather a range of temperatures seen in the healthy human body at various ages.
8	Body temperature is a measure of - the body’s ability to generate and get rid of heat. Fever can be an indication of infection, a disease process, or exposure to life threatening extreme temperatures and dehydration. Low body temperature can be seen in extreme exposure to cold and can also be life-threatening. Read more about body temperature – click HERE!
9	Two common factors affecting temperature - are age and gender
10	Normal oral temperatures in adults - can range from - 96.4° to 99.4° F (35.8° to 37.4° C)
11	In children, normal temperature can range from 97° to 100.4° F (36.1° to 38° C)
12	A woman’s body temperature can reach as high as 100.2° F (37.9° C) during ovulation
13	Body temperature is dynamic. Our temperature also varies during each day. In infants under 6 months the variation is very small From 6 months to six years, the variation may be about 1° during a 24 hour period.
14	In children over 6 years - the variation may be about 2°
15	In adults - the variation is usually small, except during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
16	Time for a learning check In general, the treatment of a fever with an anti-inflammatory is done to:
17	Sites for measuring body temperature
18	Common body sites for measuring temperature include - The mouth, forehead, axilla, groin, rectum, and ear canal
19	It is also possible to measure temperature - in the esophagus, bladder, and pulmonary artery, but these require physician placement of probes.
20	The most reliable sites for measurement include - The pulmonary artery, esophagus, and typanic membrane. These sites come closest to the body’s core temperature They are also less affected by environmental factors.
21	The Mouth – the most common site for measuring temperature The sublingual pocket under the tongue on either side of the frenulum is most commonly used for temperature measurement It is painless, non-invasive and accessible.
22	Correct Placement
23	Correct placement of the thermometer is important - an incorrectly placed thermometer can have an error of 1° or more. Accuracy is also commonly affected by recent ingestion of hot or cold liquids, food, or smoking.
24	The Rectum Rectal temperatures are usually about 1° higher than oral temperatures, and if the temperature is rising or falling rapidly, a rectal temperature may not reflect the change for up to 1 hour.
25	When using a rectal thermometer, insertion depth of the thermometer varies with age: In adults – 2 to 3 inches In children – ½ to 1.5 inches In neonates – ¾ inches
26	Axilla and Groin If the mouth or rectum are not accessible or inappropriate (surgery, disease, deformity, etc.) the axilla or groin may be used.
27	Although easily accessible, and non-invasive - the axilla and groin are among the least accurate. If this method must be used, to maximize accuracy, skin contact must be made for 8 to 11 minutes.
28	The Ear The tympanic membrane is one of the most accurate sites for measuring temperature. It is almost always easily accessible, comfortable and non-invasive.
29	The Forehead – using contact methods While inexpensive disposable strips and some electronic models are available for contact forehead temperatures - this is one of the least accurate methods
30	Time for a learning check When taking a temperature using a rectal probe it is important to:
31	Selecting A Thermometer
32	Types of Thermometers Common thermometers available include; Glass/mercury Electronic (digital) Infrared, and Disposable
33	Glass/Mercury Thermometers Thermometers containing mercury have been discontinued in many health care facilities due to problems with mercury disposal and safety.
34	The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend their use in children - They are still widely available, however, inexpensive and accurate.
35	Using Glass/Mercury Thermometers Two types are available – oral and rectal. An oral thermometer is most accurate if left in place for 5 to 8 minutes. A rectal thermometer (shorter, blunted bulb end) should be left in place for 3 to 5 minutes.
36	Electronic (Digital) Thermometers Electronic probe thermometers can be placed In the mouth, rectum or axilla They are quick, easy to use and most are accurate.
37	Electronic Infrared Thermometers rapidly measure the temperature from the typanic membrane Placement is important. If not directed at the tympanic membrane the temperature of the cooler ear canal may be measured instead.
38	Correct placement of the tympanic thermometer is age-related - up to 12 months – pull the ear lobe DOWN and back
39	Other Thermometer Devices Plastic temperature strips are available for forehead measurement, and pacifier thermometers are also available. Both of these are less reliable than other methods.
40	Disposable thermometers - may come as thin flat plastic pieces with dots that change color reflecting body temperature. Models are available for oral, rectal or axillary temperature applications.
41	Crystal Patches They may also come in patch form. Some can be left in place to measure temperature continuously for up to 48 hours. Skin irritation can be a problem with these patches. They are also less accurate than digital or infrared methods.
42	Temporal Artery Thermometer A relatively new device is now available for measuring body temperature. The temporal artery thermometer uses infrared technology to scan the temperature of the temporal artery.
43	The device is rapid, non-invasive, and accurate and requires no skin contact. The area over the temporal artery is scanned with the device. This eliminates the danger of spreading infection with a thermometer because there is never any contact with body fluids.
44	You have now completed the Vital Signs lesson on Temperature Measurement. To complete the post-test for this section click HERE.
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47	The correct answer - In general, the treatment of a fever with an anti-inflammatory is done to:
48	The correct answer When taking a temperature using a rectal probe it is important to: