How To Measure Body Temperature?

Normal Body Temperature changes in response to many a conditions. Abnormal temperature needs to measured and documented. There are many methods to measure the body temperature.

Oral Measurement of Temperature

This is the most common method of taking the body temperature.

Preparation:

The person should be mature enough to cooperate and follow instructions. He should not have taken any hot or cold stuff for sometime.

1. To use this method, person is asked to place the thermometer under the tongue, on to one side of the center. The lips should be tightly closed around it.
2. Leave the thermometer in place for the required amount of time. The time period varies from thermometer to thermometer. Traditionally, the mercury thermometers were kept for three minutes. Keep the thermometer for required time. Digital thermometers give beeps on completion of reading.
3. Check reading on thermometer after taking it out from the mouth after required time.
4. Clean the thermometer with clean water.

Note: For accurate measurement, it is important that the person whose temperature is to be taken should be able to breathe through the nose. If nose is stuffy or patient does not cooperate the reading would be faulty. In such cases it is always better to use one of the other methods.

Rectal Temperature Measurement

This method is recommended for infants, small children and people who are unable to hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. Rectal temperature gives most accurate measurement of body temperature.

Method

1. Apply a lubricant on bulb of thermometer. A jelly like Vaseline would do. This makes he insertion of thermometer easier.

2. In case of children, make child lie prone on a lap or soft padded surface.

3. Spread the buttocks and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about 1/2 to 1 inch into the anal canal. Be careful not to insert the thermometer too far. Prevent the child from struggling, since this can accidentally push the thermometer in further. Remove the thermometer after 3 minutes or when the device beeps.Pressing the child’s buttocks together will help keep the thermometer in place.

5. Remove the thermometer and read it.

A rectal temperature reading may be as much as 1°F (0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature reading.

6. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it.

A thermometer used for measuring rectal temperature should not be used to measure oral temperature.

Temperature Measuremnt From Armpit

Though not as accurate as oral or rectal methods, armpit is commonly used as a place for measuring the temperature. It is quite simple method to execute.

Method

1. The thermometer is placed under arm with the bulb in the center of the armpit.

2. Press the arm against the body. Usual time for which thermometer is kept is 5 minutes.

3. Remove the thermometer and read it.

Armpit temperature reading may be as much as 1°F (0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature reading.

4. Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water and rinse it off before putting it away.

Temperature Measurement In Ear

Note: For this measurement one requires special thermometers.

1. Check that the probe is clean and free of debris. If dirty, wipe it gently with a clean cloth.

Do not immerse the thermometer in water.

2. Attach the disposable cover to the probe.

Use a disposable probe cover to keep the probe clean. Use a new probe cover each time you take an ear temperature.

3. Turn the thermometer on.

• For <12 months, pull the earlobe down and back to place the probe in the ear canal. Center the probe tip in the ear and push gently inward toward the eardrum.
• For children >12 months and adults, pull the earlobe up and back.

6. Press the “on” button to display the temperature reading.
7. Remove the thermometer and throw away the used probe cover.

Forehead Temperature

Again, specialised devices are required for this measurement.

1. Press the soft cup of the thermometer or the entire plastic strip firmly against a dry forehead.
2. Hold the thermometer in place for the required time.
3. Read the temperature before removing the thermometer. [Note the difference from other methods]
4. Clean the thermometer.

Forehead thermometers are not as accurate as other thermometers. In case of high fevers, temperature should be confirmed by other methods.