The document discusses body temperature measurement and normal ranges. It explains that the average normal oral temperature is 37°C (98.6°F), but may vary from person to person and throughout the day. Factors like exercise, menstrual cycle, and time of day can cause temperature to fluctuate by up to 0.6°C (1°F). Different types of thermometers measure temperature from different body sites, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Accuracy depends on proper technique. A fever is indicated by higher than normal temperatures ranging from 38°C to 39.9°C orally and 37.4°C to 39.4°C under the arm.

1. BY
ROBERT IGBEDE

2.  One of the basic pieces of data collection
necessary in the medical setting is body
temperature.
 The measurement of body temperature may be
helpful for monitoring whether a person is ill,
or whether treatment is working.
 A high temperature is a fever.

3.  The hypothalamus is the thermostat for the
human body.
 Temperature receptors located all over the
human body send signals to the heat and cold
sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus.
 The hypothalamus then triggers the body to
perform certain actions in order to keep the
body within a "safe" range of temperature.

4.  Temperatures can be different depending on:
1) Type of Thermometer:
Glass or Chemical Dots
Electronic or Tympanic
2) Body Site
Oral, Axillary, Rectal, Ear

5.  1) Glass
 Once viewed as the “Gold Standard”
 Must be left in for several minutes
 Up to 7 minutes for an accurate temperature!
 Now associated with adverse events
 Rectal or oral trauma
 Breakable
 Mercury exposure

6.  Single use
 Disposable & inexpensive
 Axillary, Rectal, Oral
 Can be difficult to read
 Long measurement time needed
 Up to 7 minutes for an accurate temperature

7.  Safe & inexpensive
~Often inaccurate because:
 Long measurement time needed
 Patient must be still
 Patient must be positioned or held
 Not recommended for young children
 Must document as an axillary temp and NOT
an oral temp

8.  Thought to be as accurate as an oral temp
 Needs lubrication
 Long measurement time needed
~May cause rectal trauma & cannot be used with:
1) Newborns
2)Diarrhea
3)Rectal surgery or bleeding
 Patient may be embarrassed
 Patient must be positioned or held
 Must document as a rectal temp

9.  Comfortable & easy, no positioning needed
~Accurate temps when proper technique used
 Must place thermometer tip in left or right
mouth pocket under tongue
 IS influenced by hot & cold fluids
 NOT influenced by breathing

10.  Long measurement time
~Should not be used with:
 Confused or uncooperative patients
 Infants & small children
 Oral surgery or oral trauma
 History of seizures or chills

11.  Automated Temperature Machines
 Electronic and infrared thermometers
 Convenient
 May save time & labor

12.  Thermometers are calibrated in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F),
depending on the custom of the region.
Temperatures are most often measured in
degrees Celsius.

13.  The average "normal" body temperature ( oral
temperature) is 37°C (98.6°F).
 It may actually be 0.6°C (1°F) or more above or
below 37°C (98.6°F).
 Also, normal body temperature changes by as
much as 0.6°C (1°F) throughout the day,
depending on how active the person is and the
time of day.
 Body temperature is very sensitive to hormone
levels and may be higher or lower when a woman
is ovulating or having her menstrual period.

14. Results: Body temperature
Normal: The average normal temperature is 37°C (98.6°F).
But "normal" varies from person to person. The
temperature will also vary throughout the day,
usually being lowest in the early morning and
rising as much as 0.6°C (1°F) in the early evening.
The temperature may also rise by 0.6°C (1°F) or
more if you exercise on a hot day. A woman's
body temperature typically varies by 0.6°C (1°F)
or more through her menstrual cycle , peaking
around the time of ovulation
Abnormal: Oral, ear (tympanic), or rectal temperature
 Fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F)
 High fever: 40°C (104°F) and higher
Armpit (axillary) temperature
 Fever: 37.4°C (99.4°F) to 39.4°C (102.9°F)
 High fever: 39.5°C (103°F) and higher

15.  Welcoming presence
 Decrease any anxieties & fears
 Reassure patients & family

16. THANK YOU