Name: body temperature tools and thermometer types
Uploaded: 2024-06-20T13:02:51.000Z
Duration: 1 min 13 s
Channel: JoVE

The measurement of temperature is commonly expressed in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Some devices used to measure body temperature include:
Glass-bulb thermometers. Once widely used, they are now banned in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury.
Digital and electronic thermometers are battery-powered devices that display numerical readings.
Electronic thermometers have a detachable probe with a disposable cover for oral or rectal use.
A tympanic membrane thermometer is an otoscope-like speculum that uses infrared sensors to measure heat emitted by the tympanic membrane.
Similarly, temporal artery thermometers use the heat radiated by the skin above the temporal artery to determine body temperature.
Infrared thermometers measure temperature by measuring the amount of infrared energy reflected from the skin&#39;s surface.
Lastly, disposable single-use thermometers or chemical-dot thermometers are temperature-sensitive patches or tapes placed on the stomach or forehead that change color depending on the temperature.

equipments used to measure body temperature

Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature

Body temperature can be assessed using various devices and measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip containing liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Historically, glass bulb mercury thermometers were the standard device to measure body temperature. Today, mercury thermometers are prohibited in many countries due to the hazardous effects of mercury and the risk of exposure if the glass bulb breaks. In general, glass-bulb thermometers pose a risk of unintended injury to patients if the glass breaks.&#160;
Electronic and Digital Thermometer:
Electronic and digital thermometers are designed to assess oral, rectal, or axillary body temperature in 1 to 60 seconds. The electronic thermometer comprises a rechargeable battery-powered display unit, a temperature-processing probe covered by a disposable probe cover, and a thin wire cord. Some models have separate, unbreakable, reusable probes with single-use disposable covers for oral and rectal usage. These battery-powered devices display a numerical temperature. In some, the most recent measurements have a 60-second pulse timer that automatically converts temperature readings from Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Tympanic Membrane Thermometer:
Tympanic membrane thermometers are an otoscope-like speculum that uses infrared sensors to measure heat emitted by the tympanic membrane. The probe is encased with a probe cover and securely placed into the ear canal to close the opening. Depending on the product, the reading takes between 1 and 3 seconds.
Disposable single-use Thermometers or Chemical Dot Thermometers:
Disposable single-use or chemical dot thermometers are unbreakable and detect the patient&#39;s temperature in seconds. Since they are only used once, single-use thermometers eliminate the risk of cross-infection. This is ideal for use with patients on isolation precautions.
Chemical dot thermometers are temperature-sensitive patches or tape, which are placed on the stomach or forehead, that change color to reflect the temperature. The Celsius version has 50 dots, each reflecting a 0.1&#176; C temperature increase from 35.5&#176; C to 40.4&#176; C. The Fahrenheit version features 45 dots with 0.2&#176; F variations and a temperature range of 96&#176;F to 104.8&#176; F. These thermometers can be used on children. If the color of the tape or patch indicates abnormal temperature, a more traditional type of thermometer should be used to verify the temperature reading.
Temporal Artery Thermometer:
Temporal artery thermometers use the heat radiated by the skin above the temporal artery to determine body temperature. These devices are battery-powered and have a temperature display.

Body temperature can be assessed using various devices and measured in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Glass-bulb Thermometer:
Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow ...

equipments-used-to-measure-body-temperature

Education

JoVE Core

Nursing

Unit 1

Vital Signs: Temperature

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

body temperature tools and thermometer types

Body temperature can be checked with several tools, and the result may be shown in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Different thermometers are used for different body sites and settings. Some give a reading in seconds, while others are older or single-use designs.

Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip that holds a liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Mercury glass-bulb thermometers were once the standard for measuring body temperature. Today, many countries prohibit mercury thermometers because mercury is hazardous and can expose patients if the glass breaks. In general, glass-bulb thermometers can also cause unintended injury if the glass breaks.

Electronic and digital thermometers measure oral, rectal, or axillary temperature in about 1 to 60 seconds. They use a rechargeable battery-powered display unit, a temperature-processing probe, and a thin wire cord. Some models have reusable probes with disposable covers for oral and rectal use. These battery-powered devices show the temperature as a number. Some also include a 60-second pulse timer that converts readings from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Tympanic membrane thermometers measure heat from the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane. They use an otoscope-like speculum and infrared sensors. The probe has a cover and is placed in the ear canal to seal the opening. Depending on the product, the reading takes about 1 to 3 seconds.

Disposable single-use thermometers, also called chemical dot thermometers, are unbreakable and measure temperature in seconds. Because they are used only once, they help prevent cross-infection. This makes them useful for patients on isolation precautions. Chemical dot thermometers are temperature-sensitive patches or tape placed on the stomach or forehead. They change color to show temperature. The Celsius version has 50 dots from 35.5 °C to 40.4 °C, and the Fahrenheit version has 45 dots from 96 °F to 104.8 °F. These thermometers can be used on children. If the patch or tape shows an abnormal temperature, a traditional thermometer should be used to confirm the reading.

Temporal artery thermometers use heat radiated by the skin above the temporal artery to determine body temperature. These devices are battery-powered and display the temperature on a screen.

Body Temperature Tools and Thermometer Types

body-temperature-tools-and-thermometer-types

introduction to vital signs

How Nurses Check Vital Signs

Vital signs are basic body measurements that show how well essential functions are working. They include body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. These are often shortened to T, P, R, and BP. In some healthcare settings, oxygen saturation, or SpO2, is also included. Pain and level of consciousness may count as vital signs in certain situations. These measurements help healthcare professionals assess a person's well-being and spot changes in major body systems. They...

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body temperature

How the Body Regulates Temperature

The body regulates temperature by balancing heat production and heat loss. This balance helps keep core body temperature steady even during exercise or changes in the environment. Core temperature refers to the temperature of deep tissues under the skin, while surface temperature can change more easily. Heat is produced mainly by metabolic activity in the body’s core tissues. Blood carries this heat from the core to the skin, where it can be released into the environment. Core body temperature...

mechanism of heat transfer

How the Body Loses and Gains Heat

The body loses and gains heat through conduction, convection, evaporation, and radiation. These heat transfer mechanisms help the body stay in balance, or maintain homeostasis, when the environment is not thermoneutral. In a thermoneutral environment, the body is already in balance and does not need to use or release energy to keep its core temperature steady. Conduction is heat transfer through direct contact. It happens when skin touches an object with a different temperature. For example,...

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Body Temperature Changes and Why They Happen

Body temperature changes for many reasons, and age is one of the most important. Newborns have an immature system that must respond quickly to environmental change, so their temperature can shift more easily. Older adults can also have trouble regulating temperature because of age-related changes and other factors. Exercise can raise body temperature because active muscles need more blood flow. The body also breaks down glucose and fat for energy, and that process produces heat. Hormone levels...

increased body temperature

Fever Phases and Body Temperature Control

Fever is a rise in body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F). A person with fever is called febrile. The hypothalamus, a part of the brain that works like the body’s thermostat, controls temperature by using a thermoregulatory setpoint. It reads signals from cold and warm receptors throughout the body and adjusts temperature as needed. Fever usually starts when the hypothalamic setpoint changes in response to infection or illness. A virus such as influenza, a bacterium such as streptococcus, or...

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Fever Types and Heat-Related Conditions

Fever can happen for many reasons, and not all fevers come from infection. It may be linked to nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases such as leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, or allergic reactions. Rigor is one fever pattern marked by a sudden, severe shivering attack. During rigor, body temperature rises quickly to hyperpyrexia levels, which means an extremely high fever. Hyperthermia is different from a typical...

patterns of fever

Fever Phases and Temperature Patterns

Fever has clear phases and several temperature patterns. The first phase is the onset or invasion phase, when body temperature begins to rise. This rise may happen suddenly or gradually. The second phase is the steady phase. During this stage, body temperature reaches its highest point and stays constant at a high level. The third phase is the defervescence or decline phase. In this stage, the elevated temperature returns to normal, either suddenly or gradually. Fever may appear as...

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Fever Care: Medicines and Cooling Steps

Fever care focuses on lowering body temperature and finding the cause of the fever. Common signs and symptoms include hot, dry skin, a flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Proper treatment starts with identifying the root problem. Pharmacological methods use medicine to reduce fever. If a bacterial infection is the cause, healthcare providers collect culture specimens such as urine, blood, sputum, and wound samples, then prescribe the...

decreased body temperature

Hypothermia and Frostbite Signs

Hypothermia and frostbite are two cold-related conditions that can cause a decreased body temperature. They happen when heat loss from long exposure to cold becomes greater than the body’s ability to make heat. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia and show how severe it is. Mild hypothermia occurs when core temperature falls between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F). It is linked to impaired thermoregulation, which means the body has trouble controlling its temperature. Moderate...

Body temperature can be checked with several tools, and the result may be shown in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Different thermometers are used for different body sites and settings. Some give a reading in seconds, while others are older or single-use designs. Glass-bulb thermometers are hollow glass tubes with a bulb tip that holds a liquid such as ethanol or mercury. Mercury glass-bulb thermometers were once the standard for measuring body temperature. Today, many countries prohibit mercury...

temperature measurement sites

Body Temperature: Common Measurement Methods

Body temperature can be measured at several common sites, and each site has its own uses and limits. A thermometer is used to check temperature in the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. Some sites give a closer estimate of true core temperature, which is the temperature inside the body. Core body temperature can be assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder. The oral site is...

assessing body temperature - tympanic membrane

assessing-body-temperature-tympanic-membrane

Using a Tympanic Thermometer Correctly

A tympanic membrane thermometer measures temperature through the ear. Correct use of the device helps support an accurate reading and reduces the chance of cross-contamination. Start with good hand hygiene before handling the thermometer. Turn it on and wait for the ready sign on the screen. Then place the probe cover in position before use. Ask the patient to tilt the head to the side for comfort. Check the ear canal for cerumen, or earwax, because it can block the probe lens cover. If...

assessing body temperature - oral

Oral Temperature Check with an Electronic Thermometer

Oral temperature checks use an electronic thermometer to measure body temperature through the mouth. Proper hand hygiene comes first to help prevent the spread of microorganisms. The thermometer is then removed from the charging unit, turned on, and used only after the ready sign appears. A probe cover is slid on until a click is heard. This helps prevent cross-contamination and keeps the cover in the correct place. The patient is asked to open the mouth, and the probe is placed under the...

assessing body temperature - rectal

Rectal Temperature Checks for Core Readings

Rectal temperature checks are a precise way to measure core body temperature. This method often gives a higher reading than oral temperature. It is used when an accurate internal temperature is needed. The procedure starts with hand hygiene and clean gloves to reduce cross-infection. The patient is placed in a side-lying position so the rectal area can be seen more easily. Only the anal region is exposed, and warmth and privacy are maintained. If feces or secretions are present, the area is...

assessing body temperature - axilla

Axillary Temperature Check with Digital Thermometer

Axillary body temperature is checked with a digital thermometer using a careful, step-by-step method. The goal is to get an accurate reading from the axilla, or underarm area, while keeping the patient comfortable and protected. Hand hygiene comes first, followed by clean gloves to help prevent infection and cross-contamination. The patient is then told what will happen so they can cooperate with the procedure. Privacy is maintained, only the axilla is exposed, and the patient is asked to stay...

assessing body temperature - temporal artery

assessing-body-temperature-temporal-artery

Temporal Artery Temperature Scan Steps

Temporal artery temperature scanning is a quick way to check a patient’s body temperature with a temporal artery thermometer. The process begins with hand hygiene and a fresh pair of gloves to help prevent cross-infection and keep the patient safe. The procedure should also be explained clearly so the patient knows what to expect and can cooperate with comfort. Before scanning, the forehead should be checked for moisture. If the skin is wet, it should be gently wiped with a clean cloth because...

key terms and concepts

Learn how glass-bulb, digital, ear, chemical dot, and temporal artery thermometers measure body temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit for grades 9–12.

Body Temperature Tools and Thermometer Types | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Nursing offers concise animated lessons on nursing practices, covering health systems, nursing organizations, and health concepts. It includes practical communication, infection prevention, and nursing fundamentals, providing students with a clear understanding of nursing principles.

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Body Temperature Tools and Thermometer Types

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