unit 6 - measuring body temperature. pulse & respiration

Define body temperature

The amount of heat in the body

Normal body temperature of a person varies depending on

• gender

• age

• Recent activity

• Food

• Fluid consumption

• Time of day

Normal range of body temperature

36.0 - 37.5

Subnormal body temperature

35.0 - 35.9

Pyrexia body temperature

37.6 - 39.9

Hyperpyrexia body temperature

More than 40

5 Factors that causes variation in body temperature

• Infections

• Diet/ exercise

• Pregnancy

• Environment

• Dehydration

• Time of day

• Emotion

• Hormones

Routes for taking temperature

• Or Al

• Tympamic

• Axilla

• Rectal

• Skin

Types of thermometer

Oral, tympani, anal

3 criteria to consider when choosing routes

• uncooperative

• Impacted ear wax

• Unconscious

• Ear infection/ lesion, discharge

• Oral infection

• Surgery

Purpose of measuring pulse rate

Monitor cardiovascular function by assessing

The number of heart beats

Heart rhythm

Strength of pulse

Normal range of pulse rate

60 - 100 bpm

4 sites of pulse palpitations

• Temporal

• Carotical

• Radial

• Apical

• Brachial

• Femoral

• Pepliteal

• Posterior tibial

• Dorsalis pedis/ pedal

Purpose of measuring respiration rate

To monitor the body’s ability to absorb oxygen & excrete waste products, such as carbon dioxide

Normal range of respiration rate

12-20 breaths per min