2. Aims and objectives
• Understand what temperature is.
• Different sites and methods of recording temperature.
• How to record on NEWS2.
• Reporting any concerns.
3. Temperature
Degree or intensity of heat of a body in relation to others, especially as shown
by a thermometer or perceived by touch’.
Why do we record temperature?
• To establish a baseline.
• To monitor changes in temperature.
• Risk to life is only serious if >41c or <35c
4. Recording sites
• Oral sub-lingual (under the tongue).
• Aural- ear canal using tympanic thermometer, most accurate because the
tympanic membrane (ear drum) lies close to the temperature regulation
centre in the hypothalamus and shares the same blood supply.
• Rectal- rectum must be empty or recording is inaccurate. (registered staff
only).
• Axilla and groin- not very accurate. The temperature of the skin varies as
the environmental temperature changes.
5. Types of thermometer
• Electronic thermometers are efficient.
• A signal indicates when the maximum temperature has been reached to
prevent premature removal. Disposable cover slips are used over the
probes so probes do not come into direct contact with patients.
• Thermometers can be cleaned with hard surface wipes.
• All electronic thermometers are calibrated annually to ensure accuracy.
6. Choice of sites
• Sure temp
thermometer:
oral/axilla blue probe.
• Rectal: red probe.
• Thermoscan: aural (ear
canal) tympanic
thermometer
7. Factors affecting temperature
• Eating/drinking.
• Recent bath/shower.
• Recent physical exertion.
• Smoking. Wait 20 mins before taking a patients temp after any of the
above.
• Ovulation.
• Human body temperature is highest between 4pm-8pm.
• Body temperature should be recorded between 7pm-8pm as this is the
time when a high body temperature is most likely to register.
8. Temperature
• Fall in temperature may accompany major loss of blood, starvation, and
the state of collapse
• Pyrexia high temp
• Apyrexial normal temp
9. When would you not take a
temperature orally?
• Confused patient
• Young children
• Patients with learning difficulties
• Unconscious patient
• Uncooperative patient
• Patient with an injury to the mouth
10. Tympanic thermometer
• For patients wearing hearing aids/ear plugs remove device and wait
twenty minutes prior to taking temperature.
• Wait twenty minutes if the patient has :
• Has had ears covered e.g. patient line phones.
• Has been exposed to very hot/cold temperatures or has recently been
swimming/showering/bathing.
• The ears need to be free from obstructions
or excess earwax.
11. Pyrexia
• Any temperature above 38c is considered pyrexial
• The main and most significant cause is infection, if untreated this could
lead to sepsis
• Symptoms:
• Feeling hot or cold
• Sweating
• Shivering (rigor)
• Light-headedness
• Weakness
• New or severe muscle cramps
• Severe thirst
• Reduced urine output or urine that is darker than normal
12. Hypothermia
• An abnormally low deep body (core) temperature 35c or below.
• Any temperature below 36c will score on the NEWS2
• Infants and the elderly are less efficient at conserving heat than other age
groups, therefore are at more risk from accidental hypothermia during
cold weather if their accommodation is not warm enough. Approx. half a
million elderly people are at risk in Britain each winter.
13. Symptoms
• pale, waxy skin that is cold to touch. They often have a bluish, pinky tinge.
• High blood pressure
• The patient may be shivering initially, but when the core temperature
drops below 35c the shivering stops.
• Slurred speech, the patient is drowsy and confused.
• Muscular rigidity.
• Pulse, respiration and blood pressure will drop and there will be
progressive loss of consciousness.
14. Any Questions
If you have any queries about the information covered in this presentation
feel free to contact us:
Andrea.bhogall@qehkl.nhs.uk
Ryan.slater@qehkl.nhs.uk
01553 214583
