Temperatures Temperature amount of heat in the body Body heat is produced when food is used for energy Heat is lost through breath urine feces and skin Body Temperature Reflects ID: 503256
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Slide1
Vital Signs
TemperaturesSlide2
Temperature
amount of heat in the body
Body heat is
produced
when food is used for energy
Heat is lost through breath, urine, feces, and skin Slide3
Body Temperature
Reflects
a balance between the heat created by our bodies and the heat lost to the
environment
Usually remains fairly constant but is affected by the circadian rhythm (the 24-hour day-night cycle
Slightly lower in the am
Slightly higher in the pm Slide4
Sites and Range of
Normal Temperatures
Normal readings vary
from person
to person and with method used
Rectum (rectal) – most accurate 98.6 – 100.6
Mouth (oral) – most often 97.6 – 99.6
Axilla
(axillary) – least accurate 96.6 – 98.6
Ear (tympanic)
– can be adjusted for oral or axillarySlide5
Types of Thermometers
Mercury-free glass
More
common
Can
be used for oral or rectal
Are
considered safer Slide6
Types of Thermometers
Mercury glass (glass bulb)
Heat
expands the
mercury
Mercury
is a dangerous, toxic
substance
Use is discouraged
in most
facilities
Can
be used for oral, rectal, or axillary
Shape
and color are different for rectal and oral thermometers. Never switch use! Red, round (or blunt) = rectal Blue or Green, long & slim= oral Slide7
Types of Thermometers
Are marked in F. or C. Long lines are one degree of temperature and short lines are 0.2 degrees for F.
Must be shaken down before and
after
Always use thermometer condoms or
sheaths
Always check for chips or breaks
Could injure if chipped or cracked
Leave in place for 3 to 5 minutes
Always use cool water to clean or use an alcohol prep from clean to dirty Slide8
Types of Thermometers
Thermometer Sheaths
How thermometer looks to readSlide9
Digital ThermometersSlide10
Types of Thermometers
Battery-powered, digital, or electronic
Display results digitally
Are
quicker
Will
beep or flash when the temp has registered
May
be used to take oral, rectal or axillary
Remove
probe from base unit if electronic
Put
on a disposable sheath or probe cover
Turn
on thermometer and wait until “ready “ sign appears Insert the end into the resident’s mouth, under tongue and to one side Leave in place until you hear a tone or beep or blinks Using a tissue, remove and dispose of sheath for digital Press the eject button to discard the cover and return the probe to the holder Slide11
Disposable ThermometerSlide12
Types of Thermometers
Disposable
Single use and usually individually wrapped
Usually
a colored dot shows the temperature
Single
use prevents infection
Depending
on the type may be used for oral, axillary, or rectal
Some
may be laid across the child’s forehead Slide13
Oral Temperatures
Should
not be taken on a person who:
Is unconscious
Has had recent facial or oral surgery
Younger than 5 years old
Is confused
Is heavily sedated
Is coughing
Is being administered oxygen
Has facial paralysis
Has an NG tube Slide14
Factors that Affect Oral Temperatures
Drinking
Eating
Smoking
Chewing Gum
Some mints
You should wait about 15 minutes after any of the above, before takingSlide15
Tympanic
May
take more practice to be accurate
May
not be as common
Need
to be set for adult or child
Position
the resident’s head so that the ear is in front of you
Straighten
the ear canal by pulling up and back on the outside edge of the ear
Insert
the covered probe into the ear canal
Press the button
Hold the thermometer in place either for one second or until thermometer blinks or beeps Read temperature Dispose of sheath Slide16
Tympanic Slide17
Temporal Artery
Measures heat from skin over the temporal artery
Gentle
stroke or scan across the forehead
Non-invasive Slide18
Axillary – the armpit
Remove patient’s arm from sleeve of gown or top to allow skin contact with the end of the thermometer
Wipe
Axillary area with tissues before placing the thermometer
Leave
in place 8 to 10 minutes for glass and until beeps or blinks for digital and electronic
Remove from underarm and wipe glass thermometer with a tissue, use a tissue to remove sheath or press button to eject probe cover Slide19
Rectal
Do
not take if patient has a rectal injury or has had rectal
surgery
Wash hands
Patient should be lying down and on their side
Put on gloves
Apply lubricant to thermometer
Expose rectal area only
Raise upper buttock with one hand
Gently insert 1 inch for glass and 1/2inch for electric Slide20
Rectal
Hold thermometer to prevent thermometer from being drawn in, being pushed out, or patient turning onto it
Leave in place 3 minutes
Remove and wipe with a tissue or remove probe or condom
Read the thermometer
Position patient to comfort
Remove gloves
Wash hands