Temperature Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does temperature measure?

Temperature measures the balance between the heat the body loses and heat the body produces.

How is heat lost and produced?

Lost through perspiration, respiration, excretion, conduction, and convection. Produced by metabolism, muscle, and gland activity.

What are the four methods for taking temperature?

Oral, rectal, tympanic, and axillary or groin.

What is the normal range for an oral temperature?

97.6-99.6 F Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for a rectal or tympanic temperature?

98.6-100.6 F Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range for an axillary or groin temperature?

96.6-98.6 F Signup and view all the answers

What factors can lead to a decreased temperature?

Starvation or fasting, sleep, decreased muscle activity, disease, and cold temperatures in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What factors can lead to an increased temperature?

Illness, infection, exercise, excitement, and high temperatures in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypothermia?

A condition caused by exposure to cold temperatures in the environment for extended periods, leading to a body temperature below 95 F. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fever?

Typically caused by infection or injury, with a body temperature of 101 F or higher. Signup and view all the answers

What is hyperthermia?

Can be caused by exposure to high temperatures in the environment for extended periods, leading to serious conditions, including brain damage and severe infection. Signup and view all the answers

What are some different kinds of thermometers?

Clinical (glass/mercury), electronic, tympanic, plastic, and paper. Signup and view all the answers

Where can glass/mercury thermometers measure temperature?

Can be used for oral, rectal, and axillary or groin temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

Why are glass thermometers rarely used today?

They contain mercury, which is a dangerous element, posing risks of spills and leaks. Signup and view all the answers

How is a glass thermometer read?

It should be held by the stem at eye level, then rotated until the mercury column can be seen inside the glass rod. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of thermometers have replaced glass thermometers?

Electronic thermometers. Signup and view all the answers

Where can electronic thermometers measure temperature?

Oral, rectal, or groin temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

How is the temperature read on an electronic thermometer?

It has a display that shows the temperature in Fahrenheit. Signup and view all the answers

Where are tympanic temperatures taken?

In the ear. Signup and view all the answers

What are tympanic thermometers?

Special electronic thermometers used to measure the aural temperature in the ear. Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of tympanic thermometers?

They take readings in less than two seconds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Temperature Measurement

Temperature measures the balance between heat loss and heat production in the body.
Heat is lost through perspiration, respiration, excretion, conduction, and convection.
Heat is produced by metabolism, muscle activity, and gland function.

Methods of Temperature Measurement

Common methods include oral, rectal, tympanic, and axillary or groin measurements.

Normal Temperature Ranges

Oral temperature normal range is between 97.6°F to 99.6°F.
Rectal or tympanic temperature normal range is from 98.6°F to 100.6°F.
Axillary or groin temperature normal range is 96.6°F to 98.6°F.

Factors Affecting Temperature

Decreased temperature can result from starvation, sleep, reduced muscle activity, diseases, and cold environments.
Increased temperature may occur due to illness, infection, exercise, excitement, and hot environments.

Hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95°F due to prolonged exposure to cold.
Fever is typically caused by infection or injury when the temperature reaches 101°F.
Hyperthermia results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to potential brain damage or severe infection.

Thermometers

Types of thermometers include clinical (glass/mercury), electronic, tympanic, plastic, and paper thermometers.
Glass/mercury thermometers can measure oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures but are rarely used due to the dangers of mercury spills.

Reading Temperature

To read a glass thermometer, hold by the stem at eye level and rotate it until the mercury column is visible.
Electronic thermometers display temperature in Fahrenheit and can be used for oral, rectal, or groin measurements.

Tympanic Thermometers

Tympanic thermometers measure temperature in the ear and record aural temperature.
These devices provide quick readings, typically in less than two seconds.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of temperature measurement with these flashcards. Learn how temperature indicates the balance of heat produced and lost by the body, as well as the methods for taking temperature. Ideal for students and anyone interested in understanding body temperature regulation.