The document discusses body temperature regulation and fever. The hypothalamus regulates core body temperature. Core temperature is measured orally or rectally, while surface temperature is measured axillary. Heat is lost through radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation. Fever is defined as a core temperature above normal, and can be intermittent, remittent, relapsing, or constant. Temperature is typically taken orally, rectally, axillary, or tympanically, with each method having an acceptable temperature range.

1. Continuing Assessment: FEVER

2. Body Temperature - The balance
between the heat produced by the body
and the heat lost from the body
Hypothalamus – the heat regulating
center of the body

3. TYPES OF BODY TEMPERATURE
• Core Temperature – temperature of the deep
tissues of the body. Measured by taking oral and
rectal temperature
• Surface Temperature – temperature of the skin,
subcutaneous tissue, and fat. Measured by
taking axillary temperature

4. Processes Involved in Heat Loss:
1. Radiation – transfer of heat from the surface
of one object to the surface of another without
contact between two objects
Ex: It feels warm in a crowded room.
2. Conduction – transfer of heat from one
surface to another. It requires temperature
difference between the two surfaces
Ex: Application of moist wash cloth over skin

5. 3. Convection – the dissipation of heat by air
currents
Ex: Exposure of the skin towards an electric fan
4. Evaporation – continuous vaporation of
moisture from the skin, oral mucosa, or
respiratory tract (insensible heat loss)
Ex: Tepid Sponge Bath increases peripheral
circulation, thereby increasing heat loss by
evaporation)

8. ALTERATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE
• Pyrexia – body temperature above normal range
Also called as hyperthermia or fever
• Hyperpyrexia – Very high fever
Usually 41 Degree Celsius and above
• Hypothermia – Subnormal core body
temperature

9. TYPES OF FEVER
1. Intermittent Fever – Temperature fluctuates
between periods of fever and periods of normal /
subnormal temperature
2. Remittent Fever – Temperature fluctuates
within a wide range over the 24 hour period but
remains above normal range

10. 3. Relapsing Fever – Temperature is elevated
for few days, alternated with 1 or 2 days of
normal temperature
4. Constant Fever – Body temperature is
consistently high
Very high temperatures (41-42 degree-celsius)
cause irreversible brain cell damage

11. DECLINE OF FEVER
1. Crisis – Sudden decline of fever. This indicates
impairment of the function of the
hypothalamus
2. Lysis – Gradual decline of fever. This indicates
that the body is able to maintain homeostatis.
This is the desired decline of fever.

12. METHODS OF TEMPERATURE TAKING
1. ORAL – most accessible and convenient
method
- If the client has taken hot or cold food, or has
smoked, allow 15 minutes to elapse before
measuring oral temperature
- Place thermometer under the tongue, directed
towards the side
- Wash thermometer
Before use: From bulb to the stem
After use: From stem to bulb

13. CONTRAINDICATIONS TO ORAL
TEMPERATURE TAKING
• Oral lesions or surgery
• Cough
• Nausea and vomiting
• Presence of oro-nasal pack, nasogastric tube,
endotracheal tube
• Seizure-prone
• Unconscious
• Restless, Disoriented, Confused

14. 2. Rectal – most accurate measurement of
temperature
- Assist client to assume lateral position
- Lubricate thermometer before insertion
- Insert thermometer by 0.5 – 1.5 inches
- Instruct client to take a deep breath during the
insertion of the thermometer to relax the
internal sphincter

15. CONTRAINDICATIONS TO RECTAL
TEMPERATURE TAKING
• Anal or Rectal conditions or surgeries
• Diarrhea
• Quadriplegic clients.
Vagal stimulation may occur, causing
bradycardia and suncope

16. 3. Axillary – Safest and most non-invasive
method of temperature taking (will not
penetrate through anything)
- Pat dry the axilla
- Place the arm tightly across the chest to keep the
thermometer in place

17. 4. Tympanic
- Useful with toddlers who squirm at the restraint
needed for the rectal route
- Useful for pre-schoolers who are not yet able to
cooperate for an oral temperature and fear the
use of rectal thermometer

18. ROUTE TEMPERATURE RANGE
Oral 36.5 – 37.5
Axillary 35.8 – 37.0
Rectal 37.0 – 38.1
Tympanic 36.8 – 37.9