HOSPITAL

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Maintaining the temperature within normal limits is a necessity of the body to constantly maintain the balance between thermogenesis (heat production) and thermolysis (heat loss). The nerve centers that regulate temperature are located in the hypothalamus.

PURPOSE OF TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT

Body temperature can be a major indicator of a person's health. A normal body temperature can be a potentially positive sign that the patient is not experiencing a disease process and that the body's cells, tissues and organs are not in metabolic distress.

Assessing a patient's body temperature is a common procedure that nurses perform to monitor for signs of infection. Shock or therapeutic response to drugs or medical procedures.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TEMPERATURE

Body temperature can vary depending on the individual. Certain things can influence a person's body temperature, such as: gender, age and environmental exposure.

-        Women usually have a higher body temperature than men, especially during ovulation;

-        Elderly patients may have a lower body temperature;

-        Babies may have a higher normal body temperature;

-        Environmental exposure to cold or heat can raise or lower a patient's body temperature;

-        Other common factors that can influence body temperature include emotions, stress, depression, metabolic disorders, cancer (such as brain tumors), medications, and medical or surgical procedures;

-        Enema – in rectal determination;

-        Smoking – error +/- 0.2 degrees C if the patient smoked..., in case of oral determination.

PLACE OF MEASUREMENT

-        Armpit;

-        Oral cavity;

-        Inguinal fold;

-        Ear;

-        Rectum;

-        Vagina.

NORMAL VALUES DEPENDING ON THE PLACE OF MEASUREMENT

-        Oral temperature for adults normally ranges from 36.1 degrees C to 37.5 degrees C;

-        Tympanic temperatures – 36.3 degrees C – 38 degrees C;

-        Rectal temperatures – 36.6 degrees C – 38 DEGREES C;

-        Axial temperatures – 35.5 degrees C – 36.3 DEGREES C

HYPOTHERMIA

The body can tolerate transient periods of hyperthermia or hyperthermia. However, continuous exposure to extremely high or low body temperatures can be lethal and cause deep localized systemic and organic damage.

If a person is hypothermic, their body will try to generate heat by shivering.

Hypothermia begins at 35 degrees C and patients will lose consciousness at 32.7 degrees C. Common medical treatments to reverse hypothermia include the application of heating blankets or a heating device or infusion of warm saline through a peripheral i.v.

HYPERTHERMIA

If a person is hyperthermic, his body will try to cool down by sweating to cool the surface of the skin. During hyperthermic episodes, heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate increase, which leads to an increase in overall tissue and organ oxygen consumption.

Monitor a hyperthermic patient's oxygen level frequently: supplemental oxygen may be needed.

Temperatures of 45.5 degrees C are incompatible with life. Children under 6 may have febrile seizures when their temperature is as low as 38 degrees C. Usually, when temperatures reach 41.1 degrees C, IT IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Emergency medical treatment to reverse hyperthermia may include infusing chilled saline through an I.V. peripherally, applying a cooling blanket or placing ice packs on the groin and armpit.

The most common temperature assessment devices are:

·       Classic analog thermometer (1)

·       Electronic digital thermometers for measuring oral, rectal, axillary or vaginal temperatures(2)

·       Ear thermometers (tympanic) (3)

·       Infrared thermometers (4)

·       Liquid Crystal Forehead Temperature Strips (5)

These methods can be used in the hospital, but also at the patient's home.