1. Body Temperature
Mod E: Ch. 18

2. Body temperature (temp.) p. 306
One of the Vital (living) signs (VS)
Fahrenheit scale: F, Celsius scale: C
Balance of body heat produced and lost; we need a certain range to survive
Fairly constant; lower in morning, higher in afternoon/evening
Lower, the further away it’s measured from the body core, eg. Axillary vs. rectal
Less stable in children; normal temp different at different ages
Affected by: illness, environment, meds, age, infection, day time, exercise, emotions, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, crying, hydration etc.
Excessive temp puts stress on vital body organs
See Tables 18-1, 18-2, 18-3.
Brain controls activities to regulate temp
Heat:
produced by metabolism (chemical reactions), muscular contractions, and in body core
Lost by: blood bringing heat to skin, and respiration

3. Measuring body temp p. 307
Normal temp variations: (WNL= within normal limits); report abnormal readings to nurse according to facility policy, usually above 100 F
Oral: WNL F ( C); avg: 98.6 F; Record as: O 98.6 F
Axillary: WNL F (36-37C); avg 97.6 F; Record as: AX 97.6 F
Rectal: WNL F ( C); avg 99.6 F; Record as: PR 99.6 F
Oral: most common
NOT if pt: uncooperative, restless, unconscious, chilled, confused, coughing, under 6 yrs old, unable to breath through nose, oral surgery, irrational, receives O2 via mouth
Wait 15 minutes after smoking, eating, drinking!!
Place covered temp probe under pt’s tongue towards side of mouth
Ask pt to close mouth and breathe through nose
Hold thermometer until done
Aural/tympanic (ear): fast, convenient;
to straighten ear canal:
kids under 3: pull pinna back and down
over 3: pull pinna back and up
Wait 15 minutes if pt has been outdoors or lying on that ear that’s being used
Make sure you have a new cover and lens is clean

4. Measuring body temp p. 308
Rectal: most accurate (closest to body core); generally 1F (0.6C) higher than oral
NOT if: diarrhea, fecal impaction, combative, rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids, rectal/colonic dsz or surgery, recent MI, recent prostate surgery, colostomy
Pt will be put in _______________________ position
Use lubricant before insertion
Insert about 1inch towards belly button
Must HOLD thermometer in place the whole time
Axillary or groin: least accurate; generally 1F (0.6C) lower than oral
Wipe axillary before measuring
Hold thermometer in place the whole time
See p for guidelines and procedures

5. Types of Thermometers p. 308
Glass:
Slender glass tube with liquid
Types: Oral; security; rectal – see Figure 18-2;
Rectal thermometers are marked with a red dot at end
Have to be “shaken down” before use
Use disposable probe cover for each use
Read at eye level
Clean from end to tip with alcohol
Need to hold in place for:
3 solid minutes for oral or rectal temp
10 solid minutes for axillary temp

6. Types of Thermometers p. 308
Electronic
Battery operated
Probe used to determine temperature
Disposable sheet covers probe before use; discarded after every pt use
Color coded: blue: oral or axillary; red: rectal
Beeps when measurement complete (usually around 30 seconds)
Digital display shows temp
Digital
Small, battery operated
Beeps when measurement complete (usually seconds)
Disposable: plastic or paper; use once, then discard
Tympanic
Measures temp from blood vessels in the tympanic membrane (ear drum)
Close to core temp
Only accurate if used correctly
Temporal

7. Homework: Textbook: Read Unit 18 Workbook: p
Homework: Textbook: Read Unit 18 Workbook: p. 112 Read Unit Summary, Nursing assistant alert, Questions: Completion #18 all, #20, #21 all, True/False