Temperature

Temperature

Measurement of the balance between heat lost and heat produced by the body.

Reasons temperature varies

Individual differences, time of day, body site.

Normal body temperature range

97.0°F to 100.0°F.

Normal oral temperature

99.6°F (range 98.6-100.6°F).

Normal axillary/groin temperature

97.6°F (range 96.6-98.6°F).

Most accurate temperature site

Rectal, because it is closest to the body's core temperature.

Least accurate temperature site

Forehead strip thermometers (and sometimes ear) because they measure external temperature.

Aural temperature

Temperature taken in the ear/auditory canal.

How aural thermometers work

Tympanic thermometer placed in the ear canal detects heat from the eardrum.

How temporal thermometers work

Temporal scanner passed across the forehead measuring heat from temporal artery.

Hyperthermia

Abnormally high body temperature (above 104°F).

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature (below 95°F).

Difference between hyperthermia and hypothermia

Hyperthermia = high temp; hypothermia = low temp.

Rectal vs oral thermometer differences

Red = rectal, blue = oral/axillary; rectal thermometer has a shorter, rounded bulb.

Broken thermometer cleanup

Close doors, open windows, use a mercury spill kit or use gloves + stiff paper to push mercury into a container.

Prevent cross-contamination with electrical thermometer

Clean and sanitize before and after use; use disposable probe covers.

How plastic/paper thermometers work

Heat-sensitive chemical dots or liquid crystals change color.

Why ask about eating/drinking/smoking before oral temp?

It can alter the temperature reading.