The document outlines body temperature measurement, defining normal ranges, core versus surface temperature, and various methods of measurement, including the importance of the hypothalamus in regulating temperature. It discusses factors influencing body temperature, including intrinsic and extrinsic factors, explains fever and hypothermia, and provides guidelines for managing abnormal temperatures. Additionally, it details types of thermometers and the significance of temperature variations in clinical assessments.

1. Body Temperature measurement
Body Temperature measurement

2. Definition body temperature
 Is the difference between the amount
of heat production and heat lost to
the external environment.

3. Heat produced- Heat lost =Body temperature
• Core temperature: Temperature inside the
body; normal body temperature ranges
between 36.5º and 37.5ºC (97.6º and 99.6ºF)

4. Regulation of body temperature
In human, the hypothalamus (a structure within
the brain that helps control various metabolic
activities) acts as a center for a temperature
regulation.

5. The anterior hypothalamus: promotes heat loss
through vasodilatation and sweating.
The posterior hypothalamus: promotes two functions,
heat conservation and heat production.

6. Normal Body
Temperature
 The normal range of body temperature is
36.5˚C:37.5˚C
 The average normal oral temperature for
adults is 37˚C
 The average normal rectal temperature is
37.5˚C
 The average normal axillary temperature
is 36.5˚C

7. Measurement sites of core and
surface temperature:
Core temperature
-Rectum
-Tympanic membranes
-Temporal artery

8.  Core body Temperature
 It is the temperature inside the body;
and humans maintain a consistent
internal body temperature.

9. Core temperature in cold and
warm environment
 The 'core'
is defined as the metabolically active organs
(heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain and the
blood).
This may be increased by up to four degrees
°C with maximal exercise (e.g. marathon
runners). So, rectal temperature
measurement is accurately predict a true core
temperature measured

10.  Sites to measure Core
temperature are:
 -Rectum
 -Tympanic membranes
 -Temporal artery

11.  But Surface temperature can be
measured in the following sites
 Oral
 Axilla

12.  Body temperature readings vary
between temperature of the Core
body and temperature of body
surface at the same time.
 For example, nurse has measured the
body temperature for Mr. Ahmed at 6
pm at 2 sites in the same time, from
axilla (ie, body surface) was
36.5˚C, but from rectum (ie, body
core) was 37.5˚C
Variations in body temperature
readings:

13.  Normal Body Temperature
 The average normal temperature
for adults is 37˚C
 The average normal rectal
temperature is 37.5˚C
 And the average normal axillary
temperature is 36.5˚C

14.  The normal range of body
temperature is 36.5˚C:37.5˚C
 Temperature of 34˚C to 41˚C is the
approximate range within
 If body temperature decreased
than 34˚C or increased than 41˚C
body cells cannot function

15.  Temperature Converting Formula
 To convert Fahrenheit to centigrade
use the formula:- °C =f-32÷1.8
 To convert centigrade to Fahrenheit
use the formula: F= (°C ×1.8)
+32

17. Types of Thermometers
 1. Glass
thermometers
 Consist of a slender
glass tube containing
mercury, which
expands when exposed
to heat
 Now Not commonly
used because of risk of
mercury poisoning and
trauma if the glass
breaks

18. Types of Thermometers
2. Heat-sensitive
patches
Patch placed on the
skin
color changes on the
patch indicate
temperature readings

19. Types of Thermometers
 3. Electronic
thermometers
 Register temp on a
viewer in a few seconds
 Used to take oral,
rectal, axillary and
Disposable cover is
placed over probe prior
to use to prevent cross-
contamination from
patient to patient

20. Types of Thermometers
 4.Tympanic
thermometer
 Special form of
electronic
thermometer; inserted
into auditory canal
 Disposable cover is
placed over probe prior
to use to prevent cross-
contamination from
patient to patient

22. Temperature regulation
 There are various regulating factors
that affect body temperature These
are:
 Physical control.
 Chemical control.
 Nervous system control.

23.  1-Physical control
 The body gains heat from its
environment, for example clothing,
sun and ingestion of hot food

24. Chemical control
 The body produces heat through the
metabolism of food.
 Body metabolism increases in order to
produce more heat for the body as
necessary.
 An increase in the metabolism rate
will result in an increase in body
temperature and vice versa.

25. 3
-
Nervous system control
 Body temperature is maintained by the
hypothalamus in the central nervous
system, located at the base of the brain.
 The anterior portion of the
hypothalamus is concerned with heat
dissipation (loss), and the posterior
portion of the hypothalamus governs
heat conservation (gain).

26. heat production mechanisms
 1–vasoconstriction
 2-shivering
 3-increase activity
 4-increase metabolism

27. heat loss mechanisms
 1-Radiation
 Means the transfer of heat from
surface to the surface of another
object without contact between
two objects? Up to 85% of the
human body's surface area radiates
heat to the environment.

28.  2-Conduction
 Means the transfer of heat from
one object to another with direct
contact. Conduction occurs when the
warm skin touch an cooler. e.g.
(patient contact with ice pack).
 3-Convection
 Means the transfer of heat away
by air movement a fan promoting
heat loss.

29.  4-Evaporation
 Is the conversion of a liquid to a
vapor evaporation about (600 to
900) ml
 evaporated through skin
(sweating, diaphoresis).

31. EXTRINSIC FACTORS THAT
INFLUENCE TEMPERATURE
 Environment temperature
▲or in body temperature by
▼
extremes of Environment
temperature
 Circadian rhythm or Time of day
▲ In evening
▼ In early hours of morning

32. INTRINSIC FACTORS THAT
INFLUENCE TEMPERATURE
 Thyroid hormones
▲ Body temperature
Secretion of thyroxin leads to Metabolic
rate
 Ovulation
▲Body temperature
When progesterone is high body
→
temperature above base line during
ovulation and progesterone enter the
circulation.

33.  Stress
▲Heat production
stimulation of sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system and
production of epinephrine and nor
epinephrine  metabolic activity

34.  Age
old age person 75 yrs has inadequate diet,
loss of subcutaneous tissue, reduced
efficiency of thrmoregulation
 Exercise
▲ Body temperature
Muscle activity  an increased blood supply
and an increased carbohydrate, fate
breakdown  heat production

35.  Depression of the nervous system
▼ Heat production
due to use of narcotic drugs, all act to
lessen body activity and thus
decrease
 Fasting
▼ Heat production
due to inadequate supply of food.

36.  Sleep
▼ Heat production
the body is less active

37.  Assessing Body Temperature
The four most common sites for
measuring body temperature are
oral, rectal, axillary, and the
tympanic membrane.
Orally: It reflects changing body
temperature more quickly.

38. Contra indication of oral
temperature
:
 Breathing is difficult or rapid
 Can't close mouth for any reason
 Breathing through mouth
 Persistent frequent coughing.
 Mouth is inflamed
 Infant or young children

39.  Oral surgery/ broken jaw
 Unconscious/agitated people
 Very old and weak patient who
cannot close his mouth well.
 Patient with seizure disorder
 After drinking hot fluids or cold
fluids.

40. Rectally: are considered to be
very accurate
.
Contra indication of rectal
temperature
 Diarrhea.
 Rectal surgery.
 Clotting disorders.
 Hemorrhoids "pile"
 Disease or inflammation of the rectum.

41.  Axillary: is the preferred site for
measuring temperature newborn because it
is accessible.
 Contraindication of axillary
temperature
 Thin patient
 Local inflammation.
 Unconsciousness, shocked patients
 Axillary operation.
 Constricted peripheral blood vessels.

42. Alteration in body
temperature

43.  Fever is one of the most common
medical signs and is characterized by an
elevation of body temperature above
the normal range of 36.5–37.5 °C (98–
100 °F) due to an increase in the
temperature regulatory set-point.
 This increase in set-point triggers
increased muscle tone and shivering.
causes unconsciousness and, if
sustained leads to permanent brain
damage.

44. Fever Classification
Grade
°
F
°
C
Low grade
100.4
–
102.2
38
–
39
Moderate
102.2
–
104.0
39
–
40
High-grade
104.0
–
106.0
40
–
41.1
Hyperpyrexia
>
106.0
>
41.1

45. Signs and symptoms of fever
 Pinkish (flushed) face.
 Restlessness.
 Poor appetite.
 Eyes is sensitive to light.
 Increased perspiration
 Above normal pulse and respiration.
 Disorientation and confusion.
 Convulsion in infant and children.
 Fever blister around nose or lips.

46.  Hypothermia
 Is a core body temperature below the lower limit of
normal. Is a medical emergency that occurs when the
body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing
a dangerously low body temperature. Hypothermia
occurs as body temperature passes below 95 F (35 C).

47.  The clinical signs of hypothermia:
 Decreased body temperature, pulse, and
respiration, Severe shivering
 Feelings of cold and chills
 Pale, cool skin, Hypotension
 Decreased urinary output
 Lack of muscle coordination
 Disorientation
 Drowsiness progressing to coma

48. Raising body temperature
 Remove layers of
clothing/bedding. Do not remove
all at once or you may cause the
client to shiver, which will have the
overall effect of increasing rather
than decreasing body temperature

49.  Encourage the client to wear
natural cotton fibers as these
absorb heat
 Use a fan positioned on the
client’s back as this forms a larger
surface area

50.  Give the client cold drinks if allowed or
ice to suck
 If possible reduce the room
temperature or place the client near
an open window but not in a draught

51.  Adults and older children can be helped
or encouraged to wash their hands
and face in tepid water. Tepid
sponging of the whole body where the
client is allowed to dry by the process of
evaporation is not generally
recommended as this can reduce the
temperature too rapidly

52.  7. Monitor the client’s temperature
when actively intervening and ensure in the
case of adults that it does not fall more
rapidly than 1oC per hour as this can
lead to shock. In the case of infants high
temperatures can cause febrile convulsions;
it is therefore appropriate to reduce their
temperature more rapidly. This can be
achieved by immersing them fully in a cool
water bath

53.  An antipyretic such as paracetamol
may be prescribed if other methods of
temperature reduction have failed,
though this should not be the action of
first resort as it can interfere with the
body’s natural defense mechanisms

54. lowering body temperature
 Add extra layers of thin clothing or
bedding. Multiple layers of thin clothing
are more effective than one or two thick
layers, as they trap the warm air.
 Encourage the client to wear a hat or
cover the head, as most heat is lost
through the scalp
 If possible close any open windows
and Doors

55.  Give the client warm drinks if
allowed
 If possible increase the room
temperature

56.  Adults and older children can be
helped or encouraged to wash their
hands and face in warm water
provided that they have full
sensation. Otherwise there is a risk of
burn injury. For this reason hot-water
bottles and high-temperature heat
pads are not recommended and are
indeed banned in most institutions

57.  Monitor the client’s temperature
when actively intervening and ensure
that it does not rise more rapidly
than 1oC per hour as this can lead
to shock. If the client requires their
temperature restoring more quickly,
this should be undertaken in a
critical-care area where the client can
be closely monitored

58.  8.If the client is seriously hypothermic (i.e.
a temperature of 32.5oC or below) and
continuously monitored a foil blanket may
be used with caution, but again care should
be taken to ensure that the body
temperature does not increase too rapidly.
Warmed intravenous fluids may also
sometimes be prescribed for this client
group but again great care is needed