Vital Signs: Vital Signs: TemperatureTemperature
Health Science InternshipHealth Science InternshipC. ScrogginsC. Scroggins
Vital Signs: Everyone Needs Vital Signs: Everyone Needs ThemThem TemperatureTemperature PulsePulse RespirationsRespirations Blood PressureBlood Pressure T,P, R, & BPT,P, R, & BP
The 5The 5thth Vital Sign? Vital Sign?
Can you guess what this might Can you guess what this might be?be?
Answer: PainAnswer: Pain
Measurement ScalesMeasurement Scales
One to TenOne to Ten
Pain Faces rating scalePain Faces rating scale
Alteration in Vital SignsAlteration in Vital Signs
First indicator of change in First indicator of change in patient’s statuspatient’s status
Discuss how these may changeDiscuss how these may change Temperature Temperature RespirationsRespirations Pulse Pulse BPBP
Temperature: Physiology Temperature: Physiology ReviewReview Measurement---Balance Measurement---Balance
between heat lost & heat between heat lost & heat producedproduced
How is heat lost from our How is heat lost from our bodies?bodies?
AnswerAnswer
In humans---heat is lost via:In humans---heat is lost via: PerspirationPerspiration
RespirationRespiration
Excretion (urine & feces)Excretion (urine & feces)
Physiology Review continuedPhysiology Review continued
Heat productionHeat production
Body temp regulationBody temp regulation
Individual differencesIndividual differences
Temperature VariationsTemperature Variations
DiurnalDiurnal
LocationLocation
Normal ParametersNormal Parameters
Oral: 98.6 FOral: 98.6 F Normal range: 97.6 to 99.6 Normal range: 97.6 to 99.6
Rectal: 99.6 FRectal: 99.6 F Normal Range: 98.6 to 100.6 FNormal Range: 98.6 to 100.6 F
Parameters ContinuedParameters Continued
Axillary (under the armpit): Axillary (under the armpit): 97.6F97.6F Normal Range: 96.6--98.6 FNormal Range: 96.6--98.6 F
Groin: 97.6 FGroin: 97.6 FNormal Range: 96.6--98.6 FNormal Range: 96.6--98.6 F
Some More, Folks!Some More, Folks!
Aural / Tympanic (ear):Aural / Tympanic (ear): Why use the ear to measure Why use the ear to measure
temp? temp?
Temporal: 99.6 FTemporal: 99.6 F Normal range: 96.4—100.4 FNormal range: 96.4—100.4 F
Why is this site used?Why is this site used?
Table 6-1 TemperatureTable 6-1 Temperature
Most Common Sites: Simple Most Common Sites: Simple & Convenient& Convenient OralOral
Aural—do you remember where Aural—do you remember where this site is located?this site is located?
TemporalTemporal
Review of Medical Review of Medical TerminologyTerminology FebrileFebrile
AfebrileAfebrile
HypothermiaHypothermia
HyperthermiaHyperthermia
AccuracyAccuracy
Most accurate---rectal, aural, Most accurate---rectal, aural, temporaltemporal
Least accurate--axillaryLeast accurate--axillary
DisadvantagesDisadvantages
Oral tempOral temp When should you not use this When should you not use this
method?method?
What might interfere with What might interfere with accuracy?accuracy?
Other DisadvantagesOther Disadvantages
Rectal tempRectal temp Contraindicated for use inContraindicated for use in
Cardiac PatientsCardiac Patients Rectal bleeding/ surgery/hemorrhoidsRectal bleeding/ surgery/hemorrhoids NewbornsNewborns
Disadvantage—Aural/Disadvantage—Aural/Tympanic (ear)Tympanic (ear) InsertionInsertion
TechniqueTechnique
It’s the Pits: Disadvantage of It’s the Pits: Disadvantage of Axillary Temp MeasurementAxillary Temp Measurement Measures variable skin surface Measures variable skin surface
temptemp
Altered by perspirationAltered by perspiration
Influencing factorsInfluencing factors
Those which increase temp:Those which increase temp: ExerciseExercise Environmental tempEnvironmental temp IllnessIllness InfectionInfection Excitement/ AnxietyExcitement/ Anxiety
More influencing factorsMore influencing factors
Those which decrease temp:Those which decrease temp: SleepSleep FastingFasting Cold exposureCold exposure Certain illnessesCertain illnesses Mouth breathingMouth breathing DepressionDepression
Think about itThink about it
Your 78 year old patient is Your 78 year old patient is recovering from hip surgery. recovering from hip surgery. His temporal temp in the early His temporal temp in the early morning is 100.5 F and he is morning is 100.5 F and he is very restless.very restless. what should you do?what should you do?
Try cooling measuresTry cooling measures Nothing, just watch itNothing, just watch it Call the healthcare providerCall the healthcare provider
Let’s DocumentLet’s Document
98.698.6 99.6 Rectal99.6 Rectal 97.6 Axillary97.6 Axillary 99.8 Temporal99.8 Temporal 100.2 Aural100.2 Aural