OSCE Revision: Body Temperature Measurement

Temperature Measurement

• A thermometer is the device used for body temperature measurement.

Oral Method of Body Temperature Measurement

• The thermometer should be applied under the tongue, with the mouth closed, and remaining still for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to ensure accurate results.

Routes for Body Temperature Measurement

• The oral, axillary, tympanic, and rectal routes are used for body temperature measurement.
• The ophthalmic route is NOT used for body temperature measurement.

Contraindications for Oral Method

• An absolute contraindication for using the oral method of body temperature measurement is when the patient has a mouth infection or has just consumed hot or cold beverages.

Types of Thermometers

• Infrared thermometers use infra-red technology for body temperature measurement.

Body Temperature Regulation

• In women, the body temperature increases during the 2nd half of their menstrual cycle due to the increase in progesterone levels.
• Diurnal variation (Circadian rhythm) is related to the natural fluctuations in body temperature that occur over a 24-hour period.

Best Medical Thermometer

• According to the text, there is no specific mention of the best medical thermometer.

Digital Thermometers

• The main advantage of digital thermometers is their fast and accurate measurement.

Standard Route for Body Temperature Measurement

• The oral route is considered the standard for measuring body temperature.

Mechanism of Fever

• Fever occurs when the hypothalamus, the body's thermostat, is reset to a higher temperature, causing the body to heat up.

Small Intestinal Motility

• The apparatus used for recording small intestinal motility is a kymograph.
• The curve recorded by a kymograph measures the rhythmic type of small intestinal motility.

Hypothermia and Hyperthermia

• Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F) due to excessive heat loss or inadequate heat production.
• Hyperthermia occurs when the body temperature rises above 40°C (104°F) due to excessive heat production or inadequate heat loss.

Digital and Infrared Devices

• The difference between digital and infrared devices is their technology and method of measurement, with digital devices using electronic sensors and infrared devices using infra-red technology.