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?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the normal range for a rectal or tympanic temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the normal range for an axillary or groin temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
What factors can lead to a decreased temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
What factors can lead to an increased temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is hypothermia?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a fever?
Signup and view all the answers
What is hyperthermia?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some different kinds of thermometers?
Signup and view all the answers
Where can glass/mercury thermometers measure temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are glass thermometers rarely used today?
Signup and view all the answers
How is a glass thermometer read?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of thermometers have replaced glass thermometers?
Signup and view all the answers
Where can electronic thermometers measure temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
How is the temperature read on an electronic thermometer?
Signup and view all the answers
Where are tympanic temperatures taken?
Signup and view all the answers
What are tympanic thermometers?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the advantages of tympanic thermometers?
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.
Medical Conditions Related to Temperature
- 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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
