how to take Body Temperature

Definition of body temperature

in this note, you will learn how to take Body Temperature for adults, children and newborns

Body temperature is the degree of heat of the body measured by a body thermometer.

Or 

Body temperature is how hot the body is.

How hot the body is reflects on the mechanism of the body function and the health status of the body. A change in body temperature, whether high or low, communicates something about the health.

Common terms use in body temperature

A thermometer is an instrument use for taking temperature

Fever is when the body temperature is high

Pyrexia is a term used to describe abnormal elevation of body temperature

Hyperpyrexia is a term used to describe a body temperature of 40 degreevcelcious and above (high fever)

Subnormal temperature is a body temperature below 35℃

Hyperthermia is a term use to describe elevated body temperature above normal

Hypothermia is a term use to describe the body temperature below normal

Ranges of normal body temperature.

• The normal body temperature is 37 ℃ or 98°F 
• The body temperature is put in to ranges, the normal body temperature ranges from 36 ℃ to 37.5 ℃ or 97°F to 99°F

Sites for taking the temperature

• Oral temperature taking from the mouth
•  Axillary taking the temperature from the armpit
• rectal temperature taking from the Anas
• groin taking temperature from the groin

factors affecting temperature of the body.

These are condition that may alter the finding of temperature different from a normal circumstances. those factors are as mentioned below

• condition of the environment: when temperature is taken in cold weather, the result will be relatively law because of the coldness compared to when taken on the room temperature ,When temperature is taken in hot when weather it will be realatively hight becousee of the heat.
• time the time of the day at which the temperature is being taken ie is morning, evening or night. Sometimes, you will find variation in the findings. This is due to metabolic rate and muscle activity. At night the metabolic rate is low compared to daytime.
• Gender, Men has lower body temperature than women; the reason why women has higher body temperature than men is due to ovulation. During ovulation, there are a lot of body changes in happening in a woman.
• The site which has been used to take the temperature eg mouth,axilla, groin or Anas Axillary temperature, is lower compared to when taken from the other sites. The rectal site is the best for taking a temperature because it provides an accurate result
• Age: The neonate has a higher body temperature compared to the elder.
• In a neonate, the metabolism is faster, while in elderly, the metabolism is slower because of the changes in the elderly body.
• The body condition The infection in the body increases body temperature because of increased metabolism due to toxin release by the microorganism.

Instrument use to measure temperature or what is use for taking temperature 

Temperature is taken using a instrument call thermometer

Mercury 

This is a thermometer with a mercury inside and it is in glass ,it some time refer to as manual thermometer because it doses not require electricity.

Electricthermometer or digital thermometer.

This is a thermometer which uses power eg battery

Rectal thermometer.

This is a special thermometer with a blund end.it is the thermometer use for taking temperature from the rectum (anas)

Monitor

This is a machine that monitor all the vital signs of a patient including the temperature.it is the one use in critical care.

Taking temperature

Temperature taking is a process of using a thermometer to determine how hot the body is

We take the temperature because we want to know how hot or cold the body is both indicate something

Requirements for taking the temperature

A tray containing the following

• A thermometer in a jar containing a solution of disinfectant
• Galipot with water
• Galipot containing swab
• Receiver (kidney dish), which will be used for swabs
• Nurses watch for timing or other timers, like a pulsometer, a second-hand watch
• A chart for recording the temperature or a book for recording vitals
• Pen for recording
• Flannel for wiping the armpit

Taking temperature from the mouth or/ how to take a temperature from the oral site 

Taking temperature from the mouth can be embarrassing .even attendant and the patient can not believe the finding because most of them know the temperature is taken from the axilla.

Who is fit for taking temperature from the mouth or oral site

• When a person is alert not unconscious
• When the person is not mentally ill 
• The person is alder than five years
• If order by doctor
• When their no oral infections

Contraindication of taking temperature from the mouth(contra-indication of taking oral temperature) 

In the following condition taking temperature from the mouth can be disturbing or not allowed to take temperature from the mouth.

• children under five.Children under five they don not understand. This make it difficult to take oral temperature because you have to use a lot of effort to calm them down. Another site can be the alternative.
• Mentally sick patient. mentally ill patient they are not in there right state of mind there when you put thermometer in their mouth they might bite and break the thermometer.
• Confused patient.  
• Unconscious patient. they can not open their mouth so it very difficult to put and maintain the thermometer in place for the three minutes.
• Coughing or difficult in breathing 
• Intubated patient
• Oral infections 

NB

When taking oral temperature, the thermometer should be individual not to share with other patient to prevent cross infection

Oral temperature should not be taken immediately after the following 

• Smoking
• Hot drink
• Taking a hot bath
• Eating food

Those factors affect the thermometer reading hance making it to likely record wrong temperature

how to take temperature from the axilla

It is also called axillary temperature because it is taken from the axilla

Contraindication of taking temperature from axilla

• It is also called axillary temperature because it is taken from the axilla
• Sore at the axilla. putting thermometer in axilla with sore can cause pain to the patient and infect the thermometer
• Wound at the axilla. putting thermometer in wounded axilla can cause pain to the patient and infect the thermometer
• Emaciated patient this is patient with very low weigt.it very difficult to maintain thermometer in place in patient who are very thin.

Requirement for taking temperature from the axilla

• Thermometer in a jar containing a solution of disinfectant
• Galipot with water
• Galipot containing swab
• Receiver (kidney dish) which will be for used swab
• Nurses watch for timing or other timer like pulsometer, second hand watch
• Chart for recording the temperature or book for recording vitals
• Pen for recording
• Flannel for wiping the armpit

Procedure of taking temperature from the axilla

• Explain the procedure to the patient to obtain his or her consent and build trust.
• Screen the bed to provide privacy
• Wash hand and put on glove to prevent cross infection
• Inspect the axilla to detect any wound or sore
• Dry the axilla thoroughly with the flannel to dry the sweat from the armpit
• Get the thermometer from the jar 
• Rinse the thermometer with water to remove the disinfectant.
• Shake the thermometer until the mercury falls below 35C
• Inspect the thermometer for any crucks
• Place thermometer in the armpit(axilla) with the tip pointing at the head of the patient. The bulb should be at the centre of the armpit
• As the patient to place the hand over the chest and hold the opposite shoulder to hold the thermometer in place preventing from falling
• Leave the thermometer in place for at list three minutes for effective reading of the body temperature by the thermometer.
• Remove the thermometer and read the temperature of the patient 
• Wipe the thermometer using swab and put it back to the jar
• Give the finding to the patient
• Thank and leave the patient comfortably
• Wash hand 
• Record the temperature in the patient’s chart

Frequently Asked Questions (How to Take Body Temperature)

What is a normal body temperature?

normal body temperature ranges from 36 degree celicious to 37.5 degree celicious, depending on the person and the time

What are the common sites for taking body temperature?

• Mouth (oral)
• Armpit (axillary)
• Rectum (rectal)
• Groin (inguinal)

Which site gives the most accurate body temperature?

The rectal site is the most accurate because it reflects the body’s core temperature.

How long should a thermometer stay in place?

about 1 to 3 minutes

What is a fever?

A fever is when body temperature rises above normal, usually above 37.5°C (99°F), indicating infection or illness.

What is hyperpyrexia?

Hyperpyrexia is a very high fever (above 40°C) and is considered a medical emergency

What factors affect body temperature?

• ody temperature can be affected by:
• Environment (hot or cold weather)
• Time of day
• Age
• Gender
• Infection or illness
• Site of measurement

Can I take temperature immediately after eating or drinking?

No. You should wait at least 15–30 minutes after:

• Eating
• Drinking hot or cold fluids
• Smoking

Why is axillary temperature lower than other sites?

Because the armpit is exposed to air, making it slightly cooler than internal body sites.

What thermometer is best for home use?

A digital thermometer is best because it is:

• Easy to use
• Safe
• Fast
• Accurate