Measuring temperature Flashcards
Is the core or peripheral temperature a better representation of the human thermal status?
Core temperature is better representation
Peripheral temperature is influenced more by external environmental changes and thermoregulatory vasoconstriction
When measuring temperature orally, where in the mouth do you insert the temperature probe?
Sublingual pocket of mouth, which is under the tongue
Give 2 environmental factors that can make temperature readings unreliable when measured orally, and what type of body temperature does this represent more closely?
Patient smoked before, which increases temperature
Patient drank cold/hot drink before, which decreases/increases temperature
Represents peripheral temp more than core temp
Give one benefit and disadvantage of measuring temperature orally in clinical settings?
Measuring orally is quick and not as invasive as other methods such as rectal
Increases chances of mouth-mouth cross infection
What is the most accurate method to measure core temperature, and give 2 reasons why?
Rectal measurement
Smaller range of values
High precision
Give 3 disadvantages of rectal measurement of core temperature?
Conscious patients might get feeling of fullness after probe insertion and defecate
Insertion causes pain and discomfort, especially if patient has perirectal infection or perianal abscess
Can be psychologically harmful, especially for children
Where is axillary measurement done, and what type of body temperature does this closely represent?
Measured under armpit, and represents peripheral temp more closely than core temp
Why is axillary measurement an unreliable method for measuring core temperature?
Influenced by ambient temperature, sweating and evaporation
How is tympanic temperature measured, and is this more representative of peripheral or core temp?
Thermometer is inserted into ear canal
More representative of core temperature
Why is tympanic measurement a accurate method to measure core body temperature?
Tympanic membrane is close to hypothalamus, as they are supplied by carotid artery
Proximity of hypothalamus increases accuracy, as core temp reflects thermal status organ and tympanic is close to brain
What does core body temperature reflect?
Temperature of body internal organs
How is temporal artery measurement of body temperature done, and is it more representative of peripheral or core temperature?
Measure temp of skin over forehead, as temporal artery runs across forehead
Unreliable method to measure core temperature
What is the normal range of core body temperature in adults?
36-37.5 degrees Celsius
At what temperature is a patient classed as hypothermic?
35 degrees Celsius and lower
At what temperature does a patient have a high-grade fever?
38.3 degrees Celsius and higher
This is also referred to as hyperthermia
What is the range of a low grade fever?
37.5 to 38.3 degrees Celsius
At what temperature is a patient classed as hyperthermic?
38.3 degrees Celsius or higher
Give 6 causes of high body temperature?
Heat stroke
Infection eg. septic fever
Drug use
Malignancy
Autonomic diseases
Autoimmune diseases
Give 7 causes of low body temperature?
Alcohol
Hypoglycaemia (blood sugar levels to low to generate energy for shivering)
Drug use
Diabetes (patient takes too much insulin, causing hypoglycaemia)
Hypothyroidism
Cold weather
Post-operative (general anaesthetic impairs thermoregulation by inhibiting vasoconstriction and promoting vasodilation)
Why does menstrual cycle cause changes in body temperature?
Different hormones have different affects on thermoregulation
How does exercise affect body temperature?
Increased exercise causes heat generated from muscle contraction which produces higher body temp
Relaxing after exercise causes decrease in body temp due to vasodilation to let out excess heat
How does body temperature change with age?
Elderly people tend to have lower body temperature as age increase causes difficulty in thermoregulation
