Question

Vital Signs: Temperature
a) What is the centre for controlling body temperature?
b) What are the factors that affect body temperature? Which factors tend to elevate body
temperature? Which factors tend to lower body temperature?
c) Identify the three (3) types of thermometers that can be used to measure body
temperature. How would you choose a glass thermometer for oral use versus rectal use?
d) Identify the four (4) sites for taking temperature. What are the advantages,
disadvantages, and contraindications for each site? What variations occur in temperature
depending on the site used?
e) What client positions would you use to take a rectal temperature? Provide your rationale
from a safety perspective. What additional safety considerations are needed with taking
of a rectal temperature? Identify comfort considerations.
f) Define the following terms: pyrexia; hypothermia; hyperthermia/hyperpyrexia; febrile; and afebrile

Answer 1

The center The center for controlling body is "Hypothalamus" for controlling temperature thermoregulatory Center which is contained in brain. - Hypothalamus contains receptors sensitive to the temperature of the Blood. 6 factors that effects Body temperature:- * Environment - Body's ability to regulate its temperature is compromised by extreme environmental conditions * Exercise : physical activity can compromise the body's normal temperature. * Disease :- patients with disease often have difficulty regulating body temperature. = factors Elevate Body Temperature: - * Age: In new born infants , the temperature control mechanisms are immature. * Exercise: Muscle activity causes increased metabolism by increasing heat production & thus body temperature. * Hormone level: Nomen experience greater fluctuations in Body temperature than men. Hormonal variations during Menstrual Cycle causes raise in Body temperature. Stress : physical & Emotional Stress increases Body temperature through hormonal & neural stimulation. >> Next

* Other factors effecting / elevating Body temperature are: - Heat stroke - Hyperpyrexia - fever. - Circadian rhythm. - Factors lower the Body temperature: - * Exhaustions Tolerance for cold diminishes when person is fatigued. * Olderager Body's ability to regulate temperature & to sense cold may lessen with age. * Hypothermia ② Types of thermometers & - Digital thermomters. - Electronic Ear thermometers - Fore head thermometers - Plastic Strip thermometers: - Not reliable - pacifier thermometers - Glass & Mercury thermometers. 3 types of thermometers : - Oral - Rectal - Axillary [>>next

» Rect Rectal thermometer provides accurate redings for infants especially less than 3 months age. and upto 3yrs of age , for older children & adults, oral thermo- meter provides accurate reading. © Sites for taking temperature:- 1 - Under the armpit - Axillany method a- In mouth = Oral Method 3 - In ear – tympanic Method 4- In rectum. Crectal Method. site I Advantages . Disadvantages O ORAL Accessible & I can break thermo- convinient meter it bitten. in accurate if patient has just ingested I hot or cold food or fluid or smoked. Rectal Reliable measurement, in convinient & more | unpleasent for patients - Could injure recten 5 Axillary Safe & noninvasive | Thermometer may need to be let in place for long time to obtain accurate measure ment. >>Next]

6 Tympanic membrane readily accenible reflects the core temperature very fast can be unt comfortable involves risk 6 of injuring the membrane if the probe is inserted too far = contraindications - Oral thermomter - aroid uring following oral Surgery. - Unconscious state - Receiving of therapy - paralysis, - Rectal Thermotees - - Any Surgery (Rectal, anal, vaginal, prostate) - Diarrhea - Hemorrhoids - colitis -Bleeding per rectum - Fecal Impaction Best position for measuring Rectal temper- ature is side lying position. & lithotomy position - Safety Measures to should be taken during rectal measuring method are Bonext) 5

- Wash the hands of the Examiner 5 ould wear gloves which are sterile. - To ease the patient - To lubricate the rectum - Make sure that the surroundings are Clean to prevent any infections. PYREXIA: A temporary, A temporary increase in average body temperature of 98.6 F HYPOTHERMIA:- When the body looses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously wow body temperature Hyperpyrexia? iNken body temperature exceeds 106.7 °F teo called Hyperthermia/ Hyperpyrexia . FEBRILE, Showing) having symptom of fever AFEBRILE: Not marked by fever.