Medical Temperature Quiz Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the normal range for body temperature?

99°F to 101°F

97°F to 99°F (correct)

96°F to 98°F

98°F to 100°F

What is a normal oral temperature?

98.6°F

The clinical thermometer for oral is left in place for how many minutes?

3-5 minutes

What is a normal rectal temperature?

99.6°F Signup and view all the answers

The clinical thermometer for rectal is left in place for how many minutes?

3-5 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is a normal axillary temperature?

97.6°F Signup and view all the answers

The clinical thermometer for axillary is left in place for how many minutes?

9-10 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the most accurate method for taking temperature, and why?

Rectal method; it is an internal measurement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the least accurate method for taking a temperature, and why?

Axillary method; it is an external temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is an aural temperature?

Temperature taken in the ear or auditory canal. Signup and view all the answers

How does an aural thermometer measure temperature?

Measures thermal infrared energy from blood vessels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between hypothermia and hyperthermia?

Hypothermia is low body temperature, below 95°F; hyperthermia is above 104°F. Signup and view all the answers

List 2 ways to tell a rectal clinical thermometer from an oral clinical thermometer.

Rectal thermometer has a short rounded bulb and a red tip; oral thermometer has a long slender bulb and a blue tip. Signup and view all the answers

Why do OSHA, EPA, and AMA discourage the use of mercury-filled clinical thermometers?

Mercury can create toxic vapor and harm both humans and the environment. Signup and view all the answers

How can you prevent cross-contamination while using the probe of an electronic thermometer?

Place a disposable cover over the probe before taking the temperature. Signup and view all the answers

How do plastic or paper thermometers register body temperature?

They contain special chemical dots or strips that change color at certain temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to ask patients if they have had anything to eat or drink or if they have smoked before taking an oral temperature?

It can alter mouth temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

How long should a thermometer soak in disinfectant before it is safe to rinse in cold water and use on a patient?

At least 30 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What is an electric thermometer?

Digital display in seconds, uses disposable covers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a paper/plastic thermometer?

Goes on the forehead, chemical strips change color, use once and discard. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tympanic (aural) thermometer?

Widely used device that must go to the tympanic membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What are thermometers (glass) oral?

Long slender bulb or blue tip. Signup and view all the answers

What are thermometers (glass) rectal?

Short round bulb or red tip. Signup and view all the answers

What do thermometers (glass) have?

Written label indicating which type. Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in taking temperature?

Use disinfectant or sterile gloves. Signup and view all the answers

What is temperature in relation to the body?

The balance between heat loss and heat produced by the body. Signup and view all the answers

List 3 main reasons why temperature may vary.

Individual differences, time of day, and body site. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature is considered the conclusion for life?

106°F. Signup and view all the answers

What can an increase in temperature indicate?

Illness, infection, inflammation, exercise, food intake, high temp. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature is considered hyperthermia?

104°F. Signup and view all the answers

At what time of day is your temperature typically higher?

Evening, around 4 PM. Signup and view all the answers

What factors can lead to decreased temperature?

Fasting, starvation, decreased muscle activity, cold temperature outside. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if a patient drank, ate, or smoked within 15 minutes of taking temperature?

Temperature decrease. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Normal Body Temperature Ranges

Normal body temperature ranges from 97°F to 99°F.
Oral temperature is typically 98.6°F.
Normal rectal temperature is 99.6°F.
Axillary temperature averages at 97.6°F.

Measurement Techniques

Oral thermometers are held in place for 3-5 minutes, placed under the tongue near the frenulum.
Rectal thermometers are also kept in place for 3-5 minutes, measuring internal temperature accurately.
Axillary thermometers require 9-10 minutes for proper measurement.

Methods of Temperature Measurement

Rectal thermometers provide the most accurate body temperature readings due to internal placement.
Axillary and groin measurements are the least accurate due to external positioning.

Aural Temperature Measurements

Aural thermometers measure temperature within the ear by detecting infrared energy from the tympanic membrane.

Hypothermia: Body temperature below 95°F.
Hyperthermia: Body temperature above 104°F.

Thermometer Identification

Rectal thermometers feature a short rounded bulb and red tip.
Oral thermometers have a long slender bulb and blue tip.

Health and Safety Concerns

OSHA, EPA, and AMA discourage mercury thermometers due to toxicity risks from mercury vapor.
Cross-contamination can be prevented using disposable covers over thermometer probes.

Various Types of Thermometers

Digital thermometers provide quick readings displayed in seconds and utilize disposable covers.
Paper/plastic thermometers, applied to the forehead, change color with temperature.
Tympanic thermometers are widely used for ear temperature measurements.
Glass oral thermometers have a long slender bulb, while rectal thermometers feature a short rounded bulb.

Cleaning and Disinfection

Thermometers should soak in disinfectant for at least 30 minutes before rinsing in cold water for safe reuse.

Factors Affecting Temperature Variability

Temperature can vary due to individual differences, time of day, and body measurement site.
Typical temperature increases can be caused by illnesses, inflammation, or physical activity.

Temperature Extremes

A body temperature of 106°F can lead to severe health consequences, including potential death.
Temperature readings may falsely decrease if a patient has eaten, drunk, or smoked within 15 minutes prior to measurement.

General Temperature Knowledge

Body temperature reflects the balance of heat loss and production within the body.
The body temperature tends to rise in the evening, peaking around 4 PM.
Decreased temperature can result from factors such as fasting, decreased muscle activity, or external cold exposure.

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Description

Test your knowledge on normal body temperature ranges and measurement methods with this interactive flashcard quiz. Covering oral and rectal temperature norms, as well as the use of clinical thermometers, it's essential for healthcare students. Enhance your understanding of temperature assessment in medical practice.