Types of Thermometers and Their Usage
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary site of heat loss in the body?

  • Skin (correct)
  • Muscles
  • Brain
  • Lungs

    • Which process involves the transfer of heat to another object during direct contact?

  • Conduction (correct)
  • Convection
  • Evaporation
  • Radiation

    • What is the term for a normal body temperature?

  • Pyrexia
  • Afebrile (correct)
  • Hyperpyrexia
  • Hyperthermia

    • Which condition requires the body to be cooled rapidly to prevent brain damage?

    <p>Hyperthermia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which population has a lower baseline body temperature on average?

    <p>Older adults</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of Neurogenic Fever?

    <p>A fever caused by a malfunction in the body's cooling mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of assessing a baseline temperature in all patients?

    <p>To detect any changes in body temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)?

    <p>A fever with 38.3 °C (101 °F) or higher lasting 3 weeks or longer without an identified cause</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition does not lead to a change in the hypothalamic set point for body temperature regulation?

    <p>Hyperthermia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are potential complications of fever that are mentioned in the text?

    <p>Fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and acid-base imbalance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of heat produced by various mechanisms in the body?

    <p>Thyroid hormone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When should vital signs be assessed based on the information provided?

    <p>Before and after administering medications that affect cardiovascular and respiratory function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the functions of the hypothalamus in body temperature regulation?

    <p>Production and conservation of heat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of contraction of pilomotor muscles (piloerection) on heat loss?

    <p>It reduces heat loss by contracting the surface area of the skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method is used to measure body temperature in the intracranial, intrathoracic, intra-abdominal, tympanic, and rectal areas?

    <p>Rectal thermometer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of therapeutic hypothermia?

    <p>To lower the core body temperature purposefully</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the measures to lower body temperature in febrile clients?

    <p>Administration of antipyretic medications</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can increase the risk of hypothermia according to the text?

    <p>Alcoholism and malnutrition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which physiologic response contributes to hypothermia?

    <p>Peripheral vasoconstriction to minimize heat loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When does accidental exposure hypothermia occur?

    <p>When compensatory physiological responses to retain heat fail</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of using hypothermia to improve outcomes after cardiac arrest?

    <p>To decrease the body's metabolic rate and oxygen demand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a possible physical effect of hypothermia?

    <p>Amnesia and hallucinations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is rewarming typically carried out for a person experiencing hypothermia?

    <p>Covering with blankets and using heating blankets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of thermometer uses infrared sensors to detect heat given off by the tympanic membrane?

    <p>Tympanic thermometer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of thermometers are battery operated and can measure oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures over a few seconds to 30 seconds?

    <p>Electronic and digital thermometers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors should a nurse consider when choosing the site to assess temperature?

    <p>The patient's age and level of consciousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why should a nurse wait before taking an oral temperature if the patient has been consuming hot or cold foods or liquids?

    <p>To ensure the accuracy of the reading</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal range for oral temperature?

    <p>$35.9 - 37.5 °C$</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using a disposable single-use thermometer?

    <p>It is non-breakable and provides rapid temperature measurement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a temporal artery thermometer measure body temperature?

    <p>By detecting heat emitted by the skin over the temporal artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the recommended method to assess temperature in newborns when oral or rectal sites are unavailable?

    <p>Axillary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method of temperature assessment should be avoided when accurate temperature measurement is required?

    <p>Axillary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what circumstances should the use of tympanic membrane temperature assessment be avoided?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which site for assessing temperature is considered more accurate than axillary measurement?

    <p>Temporal artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal range for tympanic membrane temperature?

    <p>36.8 – 38.3 °C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which site of temperature assessment is most commonly used in neonates?

    <p>Axillary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method should be used to measure temperature on the right or left side of the forehead?

    <p>Temporal artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be removed before measuring the temperature using the temporal artery method?

    <p>Clothing covering the temporal area</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where should the probe be placed for axillary temperature measurement?

    <p>In the center of the axilla</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which site should not be used for temperature measurement if open lesions or abrasions are present?

    <p>Tympanic membrane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Body Temperature Regulation

    • Primary site of heat loss in the body: skin
    • Conduction: process of transferring heat to another object during direct contact
    • Normal body temperature: euthermia
    • Hyperthermia: condition requiring rapid cooling to prevent brain damage

    Body Temperature Assessment

    • Baseline temperature: essential to assess in all patients to establish a reference point
    • Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO): a fever exceeding 38.3°C (101°F) on at least three occasions over a period of three weeks
    • Vital signs: should be assessed at least every 4 hours or as indicated by the patient's condition

    Hypothalamus and Body Temperature

    • Hypothalamus: regulates body temperature by acting as the thermostat of the body
    • Functions of the hypothalamus in body temperature regulation: integrates information from thermoreceptors, sets the hypothalamic set point, and initiates responses to maintain homeostasis

    Heat Loss Mechanisms

    • Contraction of pilomotor muscles (piloerection): reduces heat loss by creating a layer of still air next to the skin
    • Primary source of heat production in the body: metabolic processes in the liver and skeletal muscles

    Thermometry

    • Thermometers used to measure body temperature in various areas: intracranial, intrathoracic, intra-abdominal, tympanic, and rectal
    • Infrared thermometers: use infrared sensors to detect heat given off by the tympanic membrane
    • Digital thermometers: battery-operated, can measure oral, rectal, and axillary temperatures over a few seconds to 30 seconds
    • Temporal artery thermometer: measures body temperature by detecting the heat emitted by the temporal artery
    • Recommended method for assessing temperature in newborns when oral or rectal sites are unavailable: axillary measurement

    Hypothermia

    • Accidental exposure hypothermia: occurs when the body is exposed to cold temperatures unintentionally
    • Risk factors for hypothermia: older adults, newborns, people with certain medical conditions, and those taking certain medications
    • Physiologic response contributing to hypothermia: vasodilation
    • Rewarming: typically carried out gradually to prevent complications
    • Primary purpose of using hypothermia to improve outcomes after cardiac arrest: reduces metabolic rate and oxygen consumption

    Thermometer Selection and Use

    • Factors to consider when choosing a temperature measurement site: patient's age, medical condition, and the presence of any obstacles
    • Oral temperature measurement: should be avoided after consuming hot or cold foods or liquids; wait at least 30 minutes before taking the temperature
    • Normal range for oral temperature: 36.4°C to 37.4°C (97.5°F to 99.3°F)
    • Advantage of using a disposable single-use thermometer: reduces the risk of cross-contamination
    • Axillary temperature measurement: should be avoided when accurate temperature measurement is required; not as accurate as other methods

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    Description

    This quiz covers different types of thermometers used for measuring body temperature, including the temporal artery thermometer, disposable single-use thermometers, and Tempa-Dot. It also includes information on how to use each type of thermometer and factors that can affect their readings.

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