oe Lab 8: Practical Physiology ‘Second clas Measurement of Body Temperature Measurement of body temperature is a routine procedure used in all clinical work, and it is one of the main vital signs that must be monitored to ensure safe and effective care. It varies under many physiological and pathological conditions. Indications for measurement of body temperature Ly To obtain the baseline temperature that enable comparisons to be made with future recordings. observation in resolving hypothermia / hyperthermia. 2» To enable close fection. 3» To observe and monitor patients for changes indicating an in! 4 To erapy for infection. 5» Before and during a blood transfusion to m Factors increasing heat production: 1. Muscular activity. monitor the effect of treatment for antimicrobial th conitor for signs of a reaction. 2. Ingestion of food 3, Time of day: Bod y temperature tends to be at its highest in the late aftemoon or carly evening. 4, Emotional stress 5. Hormones 6. Infections 7, Increased temperature of the environment 8, Menstruation and pregnancy Body temperature is recorded either in degree centigrade (C) or degree Fahrenheit (F). *To convert centigrade to = (9/5 x C) + 32 «To Change Fahrenheit to Centigrade subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9. C= (F-32) x 5/9 Fahrenheit, multiply by 9/5 and add 32.Direct Method: 1, Oral 2. Rectal Indirect Method: 1. Axillary or groin 2. Aural Direct Method: 1- Oral temperature measurement: Most common, convenient and comfortable method: Procedure: 1. Clean the thermometer by rubbing its blub with cotton soaked in alcohol, and rotates it forward and backward until the column appears clearly. 2. If the mercury level is 45°C, lower its level to below this mark; make sure it reads less than 96°F (35.6°C). 3, Insert the bulb of the thermometer inside the mouth under the tongue and tell the patient to close his mouth and breathe from his nose in order not to let cold air comes inside his mouth and gives false reading. 4. Leave the thermometer for 2-5 minutes. 5. Remove the thermometer without touching the tip; take the reading of the thermometer. Apparatus used: | a. An accurate Clinical thermometer of good quality. b. Cotton and alcohol 70% to sterile thermometer. Contraindication of oral temperature: + Infants and children. + Unconscious patients. + Inflammation or surgery of mouth. + Persistent frequent coughing. + Mouth breathing patients.2-_Rectal Method (in the rectum): Most accurate because it is an intemal measurement, Clinical thermometer left in place for 2-3 to 5 minutes (thermometer is inside the body). The rectal temperature is often half to one degree higher than that recorded in the mouth. Indication of rectal temperature: 1. Used for children 2. Un conscious patient 3. The patients with epilepsy Indirect Method: 1. Axilla or Groin Because of the presence of skin and connective tissues, the temperature recorded half to one degree lower than that in the mouth. Less accurate because they are external temperatures This method used for babies and old ages patients, and if there is injuries in the face and the mouth. Procedure: 1. Clean the thermometers by rubbing its blub with cotton soaked in alcohol, and rotate it forward and backward until the column appears clearly. 2. If the mercury level is 45°C, lower its level to below this mark. 3. The area should be dry from sweat and the arm or leg must be steady and near the body. 4, Let the thermometer in the axillary flexure while upper arm is held close to body and or flex the thigh on abdomen. 5. Wait for 4 minutes and then take the reading. Clinical thermometer left in place for 2,3 minutes2. Aural ‘aken with a special thermometer that is placed in the ear or auditory canal, Thermometer detects and measures the thermal, infrared energy radiating from blood vessels in the tympanic membrane. Since this provides a measurements of body core temp, there is no normal range for aural Hours of ectivity and week, Hora of rest and step. ope ae lia tae ieee ei assaet : Tice wee am ASH EEE weal rAsS Pet RE i Oe ee & Ge Cr tN Cee SEECEEHEEEEEHEEE Ee es v0] | - = TT oo 4 ne = AH = a fe tH pes im COCA Important notes about body temperature ies between about 36.1 and 37.8 °C + Normal internal body temperature (which vari (97.0 and 100.0 °F). * An early moming temperature higher than 37.2 temperature higher than 37.8 °C (99.9 °F) is norma ¢F); there may be serious brain damage and °C (99.0 °F) or a late afternoon lly considered a fever. * Death normally occurs at 43°C (109.4 shock. Death usually occurs at 24-26 °C (75-79 °F) or less, due to irregular heart beat or respiratory arrest.