Now there are so many different diseases, and with many, the body reacts with an increase in body temperature. This is an important indicator, but in order to objectively evaluate it, it is necessary to understand how thermometry should be carried out. The algorithm of this procedure is desirable to know not only to medical professionals. In the article we will consider all the nuances of temperature measurement.
How to measure temperature
For such a procedure, there is a special device - thermometers. It comes in several forms:
Until recently, a mercury thermometer was used to measure temperature, but now you can increasingly see digital ones. They are safer because they do not contain mercury inside, and they do not have glass. Instant thermometers are simply indispensable if you need to quickly measure body temperature indicators, for example, in a sleeping child or an overly excited patient.
The process of measuring body temperature is called thermometry, the execution algorithm will be discussed later.
Places where you can measure temperature
Depending on the situation and condition of the patient, the temperature can be measured in different places:
- Most often, this is the armpit.
- Oral cavity, usually under the tongue.
- In children, it can be measured in the inguinal fold.
- The rectum, but we must take into account that there the indicators will be 0.5-1 degrees higher.
If thermometry is required, the algorithm must be followed so that the indicators are as accurate as possible.
Preparing for thermometry
Before a nurse in a medical institution starts measuring temperature, she must do the following:
- Prepare medical gloves.
- Get a thermometer.
- Prepare a container with a solution for disinfecting thermometers after measurement.
- To get temperature sheets, they can be general and individual.
Only after everything is ready for measurement can you go to the patient room.
Preparing patients for temperature measurement
Many people believe that measuring body temperature is very simple and does not require special preparation. But to obtain accurate results when general thermometry is performed, the algorithm is important, as well as the preparation of the patient, which includes:
- Explaining to the patient the rules for measuring temperature.
- Giving the patient a comfortable position.
- It is necessary to process the place of temperature measurement.
- To warn the patient so that he does not make active movements before the measurement procedure.
Sometimes, even an error of a fraction of a degree can play a role, so it is important to get an accurate result.
Axillary Thermometry Algorithm
Measurement of body temperature in the armpit is most often carried out, but not everyone knows the correct algorithm for performing this procedure. It includes the following procedure:
- Inspect the cavity for injuries and damage, wipe with a cloth so that the skin is dry.
- Remove the thermometer from the disinfectant solution, rinse under running water and wipe dry.
- Shake the thermometer so that the mercury drops to the 35 degree mark.
- Place the thermometer in the armpit so that it is in close contact with the skin on all sides, after which the patient should firmly press his hand to his chest. If the patient is not able to do this himself, then he needs help.
- Get the thermometer only after 10 minutes.
- View the readings and write them to the temperature sheet.
- Shake the thermometer to a mark of 35 degrees and lower it into a disinfectant solution.
How to measure the temperature in the rectum
Sometimes the process of measuring body temperature in the armpit is not recommended, usually the reason may be:
- General hypothermia of the body.
- Inflammatory processes in the armpit.
- The need to determine ovulation in women.
In such cases, thermometry can be measured in the rectum, the algorithm will be as follows:
- The patient should lie on his side and press his legs to his stomach.
- The nurse puts on gloves.
- Remove the thermometer from the disinfectant solution.
- Shake to 35 degrees.
- Grease the tip of the thermometer with petroleum jelly.
- Introduce 2-4 centimeters into the rectum and ask the patient to squeeze the buttocks.
- Within 5 minutes, the measurement is carried out.
- Take out the thermometer and look at the readings.
- Rinse the thermometer with warm water and place in a container with a disinfectant solution.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
- To write down indications in the journal or the card of the patient, there must be a note about the place of measurement.
The more precisely all measurement recommendations are followed, the more accurate the result will be. But it must be borne in mind that in some conditions, temperature measurement in the rectum is not allowed:
- Diarrhea.
- The delay of the chair.
- Pathology of the rectum.
Measurement of temperature in the inguinal fold
When the child is too small, quite often a thermometry technique is available, an algorithm is also available, which means measurement in the inguinal fold. The procedure for performing the procedure should be as follows:
- Given the baby’s delicate skin, after a disinfectant solution, the thermometer should be washed under running water.
- Wipe it dry and shake to a mark of 35 degrees.
- The child’s leg must be bent in the hip joint and knee so that a fold forms, and place a thermometer in it.
- Measure for 5 minutes.
- Get a thermometer and see the readings.
- Shake the thermometer and place in a disinfectant solution.
- Record readings in a log or temperature sheet.
Knowing how such thermometry, an algorithm of actions is carried out, parents at home can always measure the temperature of their little crumbs, if necessary.
Rules for measuring temperature in children
Children differ from adults in their restlessness even during illness, so it is sometimes difficult for them to explain why they need to sit still for 10 minutes. But during infectious and inflammatory diseases, it is important that thermometry be performed, the algorithm must be performed. Here are some rules for measuring temperature in children:
- It is advisable for babies to take temperature in the presence of a nurse.
- Previously, the thermometer should be warmed to room temperature.
- During the measurement, you need to gently talk with the baby, and older children can be carried away by telling an interesting story.
- It is important that when thermometry is performed, the algorithm implies that the child is in the right position so that the indicators are accurate.
- Preschool children can not measure the temperature in the oral cavity with a glass thermometer.
The correct implementation of all recommendations for measuring body temperature will help to obtain more accurate readings that will help the doctor choose the treatment tactics.
How to use an electronic thermometer
Electronic devices show the same accurate indicators as their mercury counterparts. There is even relief for measurement, when the indicators stop rising quickly, the thermometer will sound an alarm.
It is also necessary to observe some rules for measuring temperature using such a device:
- It is necessary to install the thermometer so that the sensor is in maximum contact with the body. It is advisable to take measurements in the oral cavity or rectum.
- When measuring in the armpit, the thermometer is mounted vertically.
- To get a more accurate reading, you need to keep the thermometer longer than the time specified in the instructions.
- If the sound signal appeared too early, then this may indicate a wrong installation of the thermometer.
Before using such a device, you must carefully read the attached instructions.
Under what conditions may the readings be inaccurate
If in the process when thermometry is performed, the algorithm is violated, that is, there is a risk of getting incorrect readings. Here are some situations that can lead to measurement errors:
- The healthcare provider or mom forgot to shake the thermometer before taking the measurement.
- If the patient warms up with a hot-water bottle just from the side where the temperature measurement is supposed.
- The thermometer is improperly located in the armpit, there is no close contact with the body.
- When the patient deliberately simulates an elevated temperature.
If the measurement algorithm is strictly followed, then, as a rule, there can be no error, of course, if the thermometer is working properly.
How to store thermometers correctly
In order for the thermometer to last as long as possible, it must not only be used correctly, but also stored. In a medical institution, after measuring the temperature, it is necessary:
- Rinse the thermometer under running water.
- Put cotton in the container at the bottom to prevent the thermometer from breaking on glass, pour a disinfectant solution (0.1% Chlormix or 0.1% Chlorocide).
- Place thermometers in the solution for an hour.
- Then remove, rinse under running water and wipe dry.
- Place the thermometers in another container with a disinfectant solution and mark that these are clean thermometers.
If we talk about electronic medical thermometers, then after use it is enough to wipe them with one of the disinfecting solutions. When choosing such a composition, it is important to consider what material the thermometer case is made of. Most often it is made of plastic, and the tip is made of metal, in which the thermocouple is located.
The thermometer at home, as a rule, is not placed in disinfectant solutions, but after use it is necessary to rinse with water, wipe it dry and store in a special case to avoid breaking.
Tip. Do not rinse a mercury thermometer under a stream of hot or warm water, this can cause it to break.
To disinfect the thermometer at home, it is enough to use an antiseptic solution, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the device, its proper operation still depends on the usage algorithm. Any deviations from the rules of storage and measurement can lead to inaccurate results.