CHAPTER 3 TECHNIQUES OF MEASUREING THE PARAMETERS OF BODY HEALTH

3.1 Body Temperature

1. Normal body temperature of humans is 36.9˚C or 37˚C.

2. Measuring body temperature is initial assessment for acute illness.

3. Types of thermometers:

a. Infrared thermometer b. Clinical thermometer

- Measure body temperature without any
body contact:
-suitable to screen inbound passengers.
- point the thermometer onto the forehead at a
distance and read the reading.
- Advantages
- can be taken at a distance,
- can avoid contamination
c. Rectal thermometer
- used for babies < 3 months old
- Measure temperature of liquids and
- measure body temperature in the rectum
- Insert the bulb end of thermometer into the
rectum.
- Most accurate
- Consist of mercury or alcohol
- Accuracy 0.1˚C - Range 35˚C to 42˚C
- The klink is to prevent the mercury from
dropping too soon before the reading is
recorded.
- To increase sensitivity of a change in
temperature
i. it has thin wall glass bulb
ii. narrow capillary
iii. short temperature range and has been
calibrated
d. Laboratory thermometer
Measure temperature of liquids and body.
- range - 10˚C to 110˚C
- Accuracy 1˚C
- Immerse the entire bulb of the thermometer
into the liquid.
- Not suitable to measure children’s
temperature as it is made of glass and contain
mercury

4. Body temperature

Exceed normal Fall below normal

- due to infections, exposure to extreme hot - is due to exposure to extreme cold conditions
conditions or exercise. - can get hypothermia
- because the body(white blood cells) fight the
pathogens that causing the disease. Symptoms of too cold / hypothermia
- shivering
Symptoms of high fever - poor body coordination
- muscles and joints aches - difficulty in breathing
- chills
- epilepsy
- convulsions (cramps / seizures)

3.2 Pulse Rate - number of heart beat per minute

1. As the heart beats and forces the blood through the body, we can feel the pulse at the point
where arteries come near to the surface of the skin such as wrist.
2. Pulse point

3.

Factor Effect on pulse rate

Gender Male adults have a lower average pulse rate compared to female adults because
the volume of a male heart is larger.
Age Babies and children have higher pulse rate compared to adults because babies
have smaller heart.
Physical The more vigorous the physical activity, the higher the pulse rate. The body cells
activity need more oxygen to carry out active activity The heart beats more to supply
more oxygen to the body cells
Health Health A sick person has higher pulse rate than a healthy person.

3.3 Blood Pressure – pressure applied by the blood on the walls of the blood vessels.

1. Normal blood pressure 120/80mmHg, that is systolic pressure is 120mmHg and diastolic pressure
is 80 mmHg.

2 a. Systolic pressure refers to the blood pressure when the cardiac muscles contract.

b. Diastolic pressure refers to the blood pressure when the cardiac muscles relax.

High blood pressure Effects Digital sphygmomanometer

is due to - stroke is used to measure blood
i. high intake of salt / salty food. - heart disease pressure regularly to detect
ii. smoking - kidneys failure high blood pressure.
iii. high intake of fats etc fast
food
3.4 Body Mass Index (BMI) 3.4 Body Mass Index (BMI) – measuremen measurement of body mass
over height.

1. Body Mass Index (BMI) = Body mass(kg)

(Height) 2 (m)2
2.
Classification BMI score Risk of illness
Underweight < 18.5 Medium
Normal / Desirable weight 18.5 – 24.9 Low
Overweight 25.0 – 29.9 Medium
Obese 30.0 or more High

3. The higher the BMI score, the higher the risk of getting high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus,
heart disease or cholesterol in the blood.

4. Ways to prevent obesity

- exercise regularly
- take a balance diet
- reduce intake of fats and carbohydrates