Questions and Answers
Body temperature is measured in the?
mouth, ear, axilla, or rectum.
In the United States, body temperature is usually expressed in degrees of?
Fahrenheit (F).
Normal body temperature is?
98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
In most U.S. settings, body temperature is measured using digital thermometers that use '______________' to determine temperature.
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98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to '______' degrees Celsius.
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The abbreviation for temperature is '____'.
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To note a patient's temperature you would write '______'.
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When speaking about a patient's temperature to someone who is not a health care provider, use the word '__________'.
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When speaking to another health care professional, you can use the shortened form '____'.
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When speaking with a patient's family member you might say, '___________'
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When speaking with another nurse you might say, '__________'
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When body temperature is not normal, it may be described using terms such as '_________'.
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What does febrile mean?
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What is hypothermia?
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What is hyperthermia?
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Hyperthermia is the opposite of?
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Is fever or hyperthermia more common?
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What can hyperthermia be caused by?
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What is hypothermia caused by?
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Study Notes
Temperature Measurement
- Body temperature can be measured at various sites: mouth, ear, axilla, or rectum.
- In the U.S., body temperature is typically expressed in degrees Fahrenheit (F).
- Normal body temperature averages 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thermometer Use
- Digital thermometers commonly utilized in the U.S. measure temperature using an infra-red sensing device.
Temperature Conversion
- 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit converts to 37 degrees Celsius.
Abbreviations for Temperature
- Temperature is abbreviated as "temp."
- Documentation of a patient's temperature can be noted as "temp 99.8" or "t 99.8."
Communication of Temperature
- Use "temperature" when discussing with non-healthcare providers.
- Health professionals may refer to it simply as "temp."
- When communicating with a patient's family, state the temperature (e.g., "Your father's temperature is 98.6").
- Within nursing discussions, it can be stated as "The patient's temp is 98.6."
Abnormal Temperature Terms
- Abnormal body temperatures are described with terms like febrile, hypothermia, and hyperthermia.
Definitions of Abnormal Conditions
- Febrile: Elevated body temperature above the normal level; indicates the presence of a fever.
- Hypothermia: Defined as a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius); can result from cold exposure or body mechanism failure.
- Hyperthermia: Prolonged elevation of body temperature above normal; potential causes include heat exposure and drug use.
Symptoms and Effects
- In hyperthermia, body temperature may rise to 100-101 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5-38.3 degrees Celsius). Symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, thirst, elevated temperature, pulse, respirations, and dark yellow urine.
- Hyperthermia is the opposite of hypothermia and is more commonly encountered than hypothermia.
Causes of Conditions
- Hyperthermia may occur due to external heat exposure coupled with the body's inability to dissipate heat.
- Hypothermia is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures.
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Explore essential abbreviations and definitions related to body temperature measurements through this engaging flashcard quiz. From Fahrenheit to common measurement sites, test your knowledge and enhance your understanding of temperature concepts.
