Now there are so many different diseases, and for many, the body reacts with an increase in body temperature. This is an important indicator, but in order to objectively evaluate it, you need to understand how thermometry should be carried out. It is desirable to know the algorithm of this procedure not only for medical workers. In the article, we will consider all the nuances of measuring temperature.
How to measure temperature
To carry out such a procedure, there is a special device - thermometers. It comes in several forms:
- Mercury.
- Digital.
- Instant.
Until recently, a mercury thermometer was used to measure temperature, but now you can increasingly see digital ones. They are safer because they do not contain mercury inside, and there is no glass in them. Instantaneous thermometers are simply indispensable if you need to quickly measure body temperature, for example, a sleeping child or an overly excited patient.
The process of measuring body temperature is called thermometry, the execution algorithm will be discussed further.
Places where you can take your temperature
Depending on the situation and conditionthe patient's temperature can be measured in different places:
- Most often it is the armpit.
- The mouth, usually under the tongue.
- Children can be measured at the groin.
- The rectum, but keep in mind that the indicators there will be 0.5-1 degrees higher.
If thermometry is required, the algorithm must be followed so that the readings are as accurate as possible.
Preparation for thermometry
Before a nurse in a he alth facility takes a temperature, she must do the following:
- Prepare medical gloves.
- Get a thermometer.
- Prepare a container with a solution for disinfecting thermometers after measurement.
- Get temperature sheets, they can be general and individual.
Only after everything is ready for measurement, you can go to the patient room.
Preparing patients for temperature measurements
Many believe that measuring body temperature is quite simple and does not require special training. But in order to obtain accurate results, when general thermometry is performed, the algorithm is important, as well as patient preparation, which includes:
- Explaining the rules of temperature measurement to the patient.
- Giving the patient a comfortable position.
- Need to process the temperature measurement site.
- Warn the patient not to make active movements before the measurement procedure.
Sometimes, even a fraction of a degree error can play a role, so it's important to get an accurate result.
Armpit thermometry algorithm
Measurement of body temperature in the armpit is carried out most often, but not everyone knows the correct algorithm for performing this procedure. It includes the following workflow:
- Inspect the cavity for injuries and damage, wipe with a tissue to keep the skin dry.
- Remove the thermometer from the disinfectant solution, rinse under running water and wipe dry.
- Shake the thermometer to bring the mercury down to 35 degrees.
- Place the thermometer in the armpit so that it is in close contact with the skin on all sides, after which the patient should press his hand tightly to the chest. If the patient is not able to do it himself, then he needs help.
- Get the thermometer only after 10 minutes.
- View the readings and record them on the temperature sheet.
- Shake the thermometer to 35 degrees and dip it in a disinfectant solution.
How to measure the temperature in the rectum
Sometimes the process of measuring body temperature in the armpit is not recommended, usually the reason for this may be:
- General hypothermia of the body.
- Inflammatory processes in the armpit.
- The need to determine ovulation in women.
In such cases, thermometry can be measured in the rectum, the algorithm willnext:
- The patient should lie on their side and pull their legs up to their stomach.
- The nurse puts on gloves.
- Retrieve the thermometer from the disinfectant solution.
- Shake to 35 degrees.
- Smear the tip of the thermometer with Vaseline.
- Insert 2-4 cm into the rectum and ask the patient to squeeze the buttocks.
- Measuring takes place for 5 minutes.
- Take out the thermometer and check the readings.
- Rinse the thermometer with warm water and place in a container with a disinfectant solution.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
- Record readings in a journal or patient card, there must be a note about the place of measurement.
The more accurately all recommendations for measurement are followed, the more correct the result will be. But it must be borne in mind that under some conditions, temperature measurement in the rectum is not allowed:
- Diarrhea.
- Stool retention.
- Pathologies of the rectum.
Inguinal crease temperature measurement
When the child is too small, quite often the thermometry technique, the algorithm is also available, involves measuring in the inguinal fold. The order of execution of the procedure should be:
- Given the delicate skin of the baby, after the disinfectant solution, the thermometer should be washed under running water.
- Wipe it dry and shake it to the 35 degree mark.
- The child's leg must be bent at the hip and knee so that it formsfold, and place the thermometer in it.
- Measurement is carried out for 5 minutes.
- Get a thermometer and see the readings.
- Shake the thermometer and place it in a disinfectant solution.
- Record readings in a log or temperature sheet.
Knowing how such thermometry is carried out, the algorithm of actions, parents at home will always be able to measure the temperature of their little baby, if necessary.
Rules for measuring temperature in children
Children differ from adults in their restlessness even during illness, so it is sometimes difficult for them to explain why they need to sit still for 10 minutes. But during infectious and inflammatory diseases, it is important that thermometry is carried out, the algorithm must be performed. Here are some rules for taking temperature in children:
- It is advisable for babies to take their temperature in the presence of a nurse.
- The thermometer must first be warmed to room temperature.
- During the measurement, you need to talk affectionately with the baby, and older children can be captivated by telling an interesting story.
- It is important that when thermometry is taken, the algorithm assumes that the child is in the correct position so that the readings are accurate.
- Children of preschool age should not take the temperature in the mouth with a glass thermometer.
Proper implementation of all recommendations forbody temperature measurement will help to get more accurate readings that will help the doctor decide on treatment tactics.
How to use an electronic thermometer
Electronic devices show the same exact indicators as their mercury counterparts. There is even a relief for measuring, when the readings stop rising quickly, the thermometer will beep.
It is also necessary to follow some rules for measuring temperature using such a device:
- Install the thermometer so that the sensor is in maximum contact with the body. It is advisable to take measurements in the mouth or rectum.
- When measuring in the armpit, the thermometer is placed vertically.
- To get more accurate readings, you need to hold the thermometer longer than the time indicated in the instructions.
- If the sound signal appeared too early, then this may indicate an incorrect installation of the thermometer.
Before using such a device, you must carefully study the attached instructions.
Under what conditions can readings be inaccurate
If during the process when thermometry is carried out, the algorithm is violated, then there is a risk of getting wrong readings. Here are some situations that may cause measurement errors:
- He alth worker or mother forgot to shake the thermometer before taking a measurement.
- If the patient is warmed with a heating pad on the exact side where the temperature is supposed to be measured.
- The thermometer is wronglocated in the armpit, not in close contact with the body.
- When a patient fakes fever on purpose.
If the measurement algorithm is followed exactly, then, as a rule, there can be no error, of course, if the thermometer is working properly.
How to properly store thermometers
In order for the thermometer to last as long as possible, it must not only be used correctly, but also stored. In a medical institution, after measuring the temperature, you must:
- Rinse the thermometer under running water.
- Put cotton wool at the bottom of the container to prevent the thermometer from breaking on the glass, pour a disinfectant solution (0.1% Chlormix or 0.1% Chlorocide).
- Place thermometers in the solution for an hour.
- Then remove, rinse under running water and wipe dry.
- Place the thermometers in another container with a disinfectant solution and mark that they are clean thermometers.
If we talk about electronic medical thermometers, then after use it is enough to wipe them with one of the disinfectant solutions. When choosing such a composition, it is important to consider what material the thermometer body is made of. Most often it is made of plastic, and the tip is made of metal, in which the thermoelement is located.
The thermometer at home is generally not placed in disinfectant solutions, but after use it must be rinsed with water, wiped dry and stored in a special case to avoid breaking.
Advice. Do not wash the mercury thermometer under running hot or warm water, as this may cause it to break.
To disinfect a thermometer at home, it is enough to use an antiseptic solution that can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Despite the apparent simplicity of the device, its correct operation still depends on the algorithm of use. Any deviation from the rules of storage and measurement may lead to inaccurate results.
