7) Advantages and Disadvantages of Select Temperature Measurement Sites Flashcards
What are the advantages of using the tympanic membrane for temperature measurement?
- Easily accessible site, minimal repositioning required
- Can obtain reading without disturbing/waking patient
- Provides core temperature reading close to hypothalamus
- Very rapid measurement (2-5 seconds)
- Unaffected by oral intake or smoking
- Can use for tachypneic patients without affecting breathing
- Can use for newborns to reduce handling and heat loss
What are the disadvantages of tympanic temperature measurement?
- More variable than other core temperature devices
- Hearing aids must be removed
- Cannot use after ear/tympanic membrane surgery
- Altered by cerumen impaction and otitis media
- Disposable probe cover one size only
- Inaccurate for temperature changes during/after exercise
- Probe size (8mm) may be too large for young children’s ear canals
- Inaccuracies from incorrect technique, up to 2.8°C difference
- Cannot obtain continuous measurement
- Affected by ambient temperature devices like incubators
What is an advantage of rectal temperature measurement?
- Argued to be more reliable when oral temperature unavailable
What are the disadvantages of rectal temperature measurement?
- Lags behind core temperature sites during rapid changes
- Should not use for diarrhea, rectal surgery/disorders, bleeding tendencies
- Not for routine newborn vital signs
- Invasive, may cause discomfort/embarrassment/anxiety
- Impacted stool alters readings
- Risk of exposure to body fluids
- Requires lubrication
What are the advantages of oral temperature measurement?
- Accessible site, no position change required
- Comfortable for patients
- Provides accurate surface temperature reading
- Reflects rapid changes in core temperature
What are the disadvantages of oral temperature measurement?
- Affected by ingestion of fluids/foods, smoking, oxygen delivery
- Not suitable for oral surgery, trauma, epilepsy, shaking chills patients
- Should not use for infants, small children, confused/unconscious patients
- Risk of exposure to body fluids
What are the advantages of axillary temperature measurement?
- Safe and non-invasive
- Appropriate for newborns and uncooperative/unconscious patients
What are the disadvantages of axillary temperature measurement?
- Long measurement time
- Requires continuous positioning by nurse
- Lags behind core temperature sites during rapid changes
- Requires thorax exposure which can cause heat loss, especially in newborns
- Affected by environmental exposure during placement
- Not recommended for detecting fever in infants/young children
What are the advantages of skin temperature measurement?
- Continuous reading can be obtained
- Safe and non-invasive
- Minimal patient disturbance
- Appropriate for newborn measurement
What are the disadvantages of skin temperature measurement?
- Lags behind other sites during temperature changes, especially hyperthermia
- Adhesion impaired by diaphoresis/sweat
- Affected by environmental temperature
- Cannot use if patient has adhesive allergy
What are the advantages of temporal artery temperature measurement?
- Reduces nursing time required
- Reflects rapid core temperature changes
- Easy access without position change
- Comfortable, no need to remove clothing
- Useful for premature infants, newborns, children
What are the disadvantages of temporal artery temperature measurement?
- Not effective through head coverings or hair
- Affected by diaphoresis/sweating
- Cannot obtain continuous measurement
- Fails to detect fever at critical points in young children
What are the two common types of thermometers for measuring body temperature?
- Electronic thermometers
- Disposable thermometers
Why have mercury thermometers been prohibited?
- Potential toxins from mercury spills
- Hazards from glass breakage during use
How is temperature recorded?
- According to the Celsius scale
- Electronic thermometers allow conversion to other scales
What is infrared thermography (IRT)?
- Non-invasive, low-cost technology
- Measures radiation from the body to detect temperature
- Provides surface temperature without contact or radiation exposure
Why is IRT encouraged for mass screening?
- Completely safe contactless technique
- Useful in healthcare and transport hubs like airports
What probes are available for electronic thermometers?
- Separate unbreakable probes for oral and rectal use
- Oral probe can also be used for axillary measurement
How does the tympanic electronic thermometer work?
- Otoscope-like speculum with infrared sensor tip
- Detects heat radiated from tympanic membrane
- Reading appears on display within seconds after insertion
How does the temporal artery electronic thermometer work?
- Hand-held scanner with infrared sensor tip
- Detects temperature of cutaneous blood flow
- Swept across forehead and behind ear
- Reading appears on display once scanning complete
What is notable about temporal artery temperature measurement?
- Reliable and non-invasive measure of core temperature
- Institutional standard in many healthcare settings
What are the main advantages of electronic thermometers?
- Can be used immediately
- Provide reading within seconds
- Plastic sheath is unbreakable, ideal for children
Why is maintaining probe cleanliness important?
- Prevents transmission of gastrointestinal organisms if rectal probe not cleaned properly between patients
How should electronic thermometers be cleaned?
- Wipe frequently with alcohol
- Wipe probe with alcohol swab after each use
- Pay attention to probe hub where cover attaches
What do health organizations recommend regarding mercury thermometers?
- Phasing out use of mercury-containing thermometers
- Implementing safe use and disposal
- Replacing with non-mercury alternatives
What are chemical strip thermometers?
- Thin plastic strips with temperature sensor at one end
- Sensor has chemically impregnated dots that change color at different temperatures
What temperature range do the color changes indicate?
- Color changes in 0.1°C increments between 35.5°C and 40.4°C
Are chemical strip thermometers reusable?
- Most are intended for single use
- Some are reusable, with dots returning to original color in seconds
How are chemical strip thermometers used?
- For measuring oral or axillary temperatures, especially in children
- May be used rectally with a special sheath
- Removed after 60 seconds, read after additional 10 seconds
What is a limitation of disposable chemical strip thermometers?
- Tend to overestimate or underestimate true temperature
- Recommended only for screening, not for confirmed readings
When are chemical strip thermometers useful?
- For patients with isolation precautions
- Avoids bringing electronic devices into isolation rooms
