It would seem that every adult can correctly measure body temperature. Modern appliances even children can use. But few people know that this process has a certain algorithm. Measurement of body temperature should be carried out taking into account all the characteristics of the body and the patient's condition. An important factor will be the environment and the type of device.
Types of devices
What actions does the algorithm expect to perform? Body temperature is measured using a thermometer. The most popular and inexpensive are mercury devices. The procedure for them will be as follows: shake, set, determine the degree, shake again and remove.
In recent years, electronic devices have become widely used. They are safer, more expensive and less accurate. To use it, you must turn on the device, take a measurement and wait for the sound signal, wait a few more seconds, evaluate the result and turn it off.
Infrared meters are also available. They are quite expensive and rarely purchased by patients. However, such devices are very easy to use. The beam emanating from the meter is directed to a specific area of the body, and after a split second you see the result. There are also disposable strips for measuring temperature. They stick to the forehead. For children, thermometers-nipples are created. Consider a step-by-step algorithm (measuring body temperature in different ways).
Standard manipulation
Everyone has long been accustomed to determining the temperature in the armpits. It would seem that it could be simpler: I put a thermometer, evaluated the result and, if necessary, took an antipyretic. But it turns out that not everything is so easy. There is a certain algorithm for measuring body temperature in the armpit.
- Shake the thermometer so that the mercury level is below 36.
- Wipe the surface of the skin with an alcohol cloth or rinse with water. This must be done so that perspiration does not cool the mercury or electronic tip.
- Insert the device into the armpit so that the nose of the device fits in the deepest place. Hold your hand firmly. It is important that the thermometer does not rest on clothing. Air must not enter the cavity space.
- If the measurement is made with a mercury thermometer, then you are at rest for 6 to 10 minutes. The electronic device will emit a signal earlier, but you should wait another 0.5-1 minutes to correctly evaluate the result.
- Take out the device and take readings. After measuring the mercury thermometer, shake it off immediately. If the temperature readings are high and in this condition and remain stored, the device will soon fail.
Algorithm: measuring body temperature in the mouth
Another way to determine the degree of your body is to measure the readings orally. For this, mercury thermometers and some electronic ones are suitable. The last type of device should have a badge indicating its moisture resistance.
The algorithm of actions will be as follows.
- Sanitize the meter. Shake the mercury thermometer, and turn on the electronic. Make sure that the latter does not leak moisture.
- Stand in front of the mirror, open your mouth and raise your tongue.
- Place the tip of the device on the left or right sublingual region. Shut your mouth.
- You will have to wait about 10 minutes until the mercury instrument registers your body. The electronic device will measure earlier, but after that you should not remove it for about one more minute.
- Take out the device, take readings and wipe with a disinfectant cloth. The last step is necessary so that there are no germs and viruses on the thermometer.
Algorithm for measuring body temperature in children
For small patients, special devices are available that allow you to quickly get indicators. Of course, you can use standard thermometers: mercury and electronic. But this is not always convenient, since the child often cannot sit in one place. What will be the algorithm? Body temperature can be measured in the following ways.
- The use of nipple thermometers. Many manufacturers produce such thermometers. The device has the shape of a normal nipple, you only need to give it to the baby. In just a few minutes, you will get a result that appears on the display. In this case, the temperature is measured orally. Therefore, before using the device and after turning it off, disinfection should be carried out according to the instructions.
- Thermometer strips. These devices are disposable. They are sold in several pieces per pack. It is convenient to measure the temperature of a sleeping child in this way. Just stick a strip on your forehead. Pre-wipe your skin from sweat and dust. You will get the result in 2-3 minutes.
- Infrared devices. These devices operate at a distance of several centimeters from the body. The child does not have to sit and wait until the level of the thermometer “runs up”. It is enough to direct the beam to the baby's forehead and fix the result. Using infrared devices you can measure the temperature in the baby’s ear. After use, be sure to turn off the appliance.
other methods
There is another algorithm for measuring the patient’s body temperature - basal. To conduct such a study, mercury or electronic thermometers are used. It is important that the diagnosis is carried out in the morning. Before the study, you can not get out of bed. As soon as you wake up, insert the device 1-2 centimeters into the rectum. Remove the device after 4-5 minutes. Be sure to wash and disinfect the thermometer. Consider that the obtained indicators will be higher than those that you found using the measurement in the armpit.
For example, in maternity hospitals there is a special technique for measuring body temperature. The algorithm involves putting a thermometer in the elbow. Manipulation is performed to assess the condition of the woman in childbirth. Measurement of temperature in the armpit at the same time gives overestimated results (due to lactation). The algorithm of actions involves putting a thermometer in the elbow, wait 7-10 minutes and take the indicators.
Additionally
You already know how to measure body temperature. Algorithm, actions and conditions are presented to your attention. You also need to know about some of the rules that apply to all the methods described above.
- During measurement, you must be at rest: do not talk, do not run.
- The study must be done twice a day (at the same time).
- The ambient temperature should be in the range of 18 to 23 degrees.
- Measurements taken after meals, baby crying, stress, during menstruation and pregnancy can give overestimated results.
Follow the indicated algorithm and measure the temperature correctly. I wish you success and good results!