Measuring body tempetaure

Common Sites to Measure Temperature
Oral
Rectal
Axilla or Groin
Esophagus
Urinary Bladder
Tympanic
Temporal Artery

Equipment for Measuring Body Temperature
Glass-Mercury Thermometer
Electronic Thermometers
Single or Multiple Use Chemical Thermometers
Infrared Radiation Readers
Thermistor Catheters

How to Take an Oral Temperature with a Digital Thermometer
Make sure that the patient hasn't had anything hot or cold to eat or drink for at least 15 minutes.
Put a probe cover over the tip of the thermometer. Different brands have different types of covers, check the user's manual or with your facility for specifics.
Make sure the tip of the thermometer is well under the tongue and the patient closes his or her lips gently around the thermometer without biting it. (Kids particularly will leave their lips open and bite on the thermometer. If you can't get an accurate oral reading on a toddler or preschooler, try an axillary temperature instead.)
Keep the thermometer under the tongue until the thermometer beeps.
Remove the thermometer and read the numbers on the digital readout.
Throw away the thermometer probe cover.

or

Oral - using an electronic thermometer

Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient.
Check that the reading on the thermometer is 34°C (Mallett and Dougherty, 2004).
Apply, a plastic sheath (if required - see manufacturer's guidelines).
Ask the patient to open the mouth, place the probe under the tongue.
Ask the patient to gently close the mouth.
The thermometer is removed on hearing the audible tone.
Measure the temperature and record on the patient's observation chart.
Make sure the patient is comfortable.Dispose of plastic sheath and wash hands.

How to Take a Rectal Temperature with a Digital Thermometer
If you are using a digital thermometer that has two probes, the blue one is for oral or axillary temperatures and the red one is for rectal temperatures. Don't confuse them. If you are in a home care situation, have separate thermometers for oral and rectal temperatures and make sure to label them well!
Put a probe cover on over the end of the thermometer.
Lubricate the end of the thermometer with a small amount of lubricating jelly.
Have the patient on their side or back. Slide the probe of the thermometer about 1/2 inch into the rectum. This measurement is from the opening of the rectum.... not from the edge of the buttocks. On larger patients you will need to separate the buttocks to see that you are getting an adequate distance into the rectum to get an accurate measurement.
Do not force the thermometer and stop if it becomes difficult to insert.
Keep the thermometer in place until it beeps.
Remove the thermometer. Discard the probe cover.
Read the temperature from the digital read-out.

or

Rectum

Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for correct use of the thermometer.
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Wash hands and put on gloves.
Ensure the patient's privacy.
Ask the patient to lie on their side in a comfortable position with knees bent.
Gently insert the thermometer probe into the patient's anus for 2-4cm (Jamieson et al, 2002).
Remove the thermometer probe after the required time (see manufacturer's guidelines).
Wipe around the patient's anus if required and ensure the patient's comfort.
Dispose of gloves and wash hands.
Measure the temperature and record on the patient's observation chart.
Clean/dispose of used thermometer according to local policy.



How to Take an Axillary Temperature with a Digital Thermometer
Wait at least 15 minutes after bathing or exercising to take an axillary temperature.
Place a probe cover over the tip of the thermometer.
Put the end of the thermometer into the armpit where the arm and chest meet. Hold the arm down tightly over the end of the thermometer.
With neonates, it may help to point the thermometer so that it is running up the child's side with the tip in the armpit, rather than coming in from the side. Then hold the arm down tightly over the entire length of the probe.
If your thermometer is programmable, make sure to set it to axillary.
Remove the thermometer when it beeps and read the numbers from the digital readout.
Discard the probe cover.

or

Axilla

Wash hands and explain the procedure to the patient.
Ensure the patient's privacy.
Help the patient to loosen any clothing for easy access to the axilla.
Once the thermometer is prepared make ensure the axilla is dry - if necessary use a tissue, then place the probe in the axilla.
Ask the patient to hold their arm across their chest.
Remove the thermometer probe after the required time (see manufacturer's guidelines).
Measure the temperature and record on the patient's observation chart.
Make sure the patient is comfortable.
Clean/dispose of used thermometer according to local policy.

How to Document a Patient's Temperature
It is common to teach CNA and nursing students that a rectal temperature should be about equal to an oral temperature if you subtract one degree... or an axillary temperature should be about equal to an oral temperature if you add one degree. DO NOT DO THIS WHEN YOU DOCUMENT. It is extremely important that you simply write the exact temperature measurement that you obtained and the method by which it was obtained.

Therefore you would not document an axillary temperature of 97.6 as a temperature of 98.6.... you would document it as 97.6 with the word axillary, the abbreviation ax. or an A inside a circle next to it (depending upon your hospital's preferred method.)