temperature
balance between heat lost and produced in the body
3 main reasons why temperature may vary
different from person to person, time of day, where you take it
Normal range of body temperature
97-100
Normal oral temperature, thermometer is left in place for...
98.6, 3-5 minutes
Normal rectal temperature, thermometer is left in place for...
99.6, 3-5 minutes
Normal auxiliary temperature, thermometer is left in place for...
97.6, 10 minutes
Most accurate method, why
rectal or temporal region
actual temperature inside
least accurate method, why
auxillary or groin
external reading
aural temperature
ear
how does an aural thermometer measure temperature?
thermal reading inside ear
difference between hyper and hypothermia
hypo-low, below 95
hyper-high, above 104
2 ways you can tell a rectal clinical thermometer from an oral clinical thermometer
rectal - shorter and round with red tip
oral - silver, cylindrical
How can you prevent cross-contamination while using the probe of an electronic thermometer?
a disposible cover is placed over the thermometer probe before the temperature is taken
How do plastic or paper thermometers register body temperature?
chemical dots respond to heat/change color
Why is it important to ask patients if they have had anything to eat or drink or if they have smoked before taking an oral temperature?
eating/drinking anything too hot/cold or smoking can alter the temperature in the mouth.