Now there are so many different diseases, andmany body reacts with fever. This is an important indicator, but in order to objectively evaluate it, it is necessary to understand how thermometry should be carried out. The algorithm of this procedure is desirable to know not only medical professionals. The article will consider all the nuances of temperature measurement.
How to measure the temperature
For this procedure, there is a special device - thermometers. It can be of several types:
- Mercury.
- Digital.
- Instant
Until recently, to measure the temperatureused a mercury thermometer, but now more and more digital. They are safer because they do not contain mercury inside, there is no glass in them. Instant thermometers are simply indispensable if you need to quickly measure body temperature, for example, in a sleeping child or a patient who is too excited.
The process of measuring body temperature is called thermometry, the algorithm of implementation will be discussed below.
Places where temperature can be measured
Depending on the situation and the patient's condition, the temperature can be measured in different places:
- Most often it is the axilla.
- Oral cavity, usually under the tongue.
- In children, it can be measured in the inguinal crease.
- The rectum, but we must bear in mind that there indicators will be 0.5-1 degrees higher.
If thermometry is required, the algorithm must be observed so that the indicators are as accurate as possible.
Preparing for thermometry
Before a nurse at a medical facility starts measuring 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 common and individual.
Only after everything is ready to measure, you can go to the patient room.
Preparing Patients for Temperature Measurement
Many believe that measuring body temperaturethe case is quite simple and does not require special training. But for obtaining accurate results, when general thermometry is performed, the algorithm is important, as well as patient preparation, which includes:
- Explanation of temperature measurement to the patient.
- Giving the patient a comfortable position.
- It is necessary to process the temperature measurement site.
- Warn patient that before the measurement procedure does not make active movements.
Sometimes, even an error in a fraction of degrees can play a role, so it is important to get an accurate result.
The algorithm of thermometry in the armpit
The 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 procedure:
- Inspect the cavity for injuries and damage, wipe with a napkin so that the skin is dry.
- Remove the thermometer from the disinfectant solution, rinse under running water and wipe dry.
- Shake the thermometer so that the mercury drops to 35 degrees.
- Place the thermometer in the armpit toit was in close contact with the skin from all sides, after which the patient must firmly press his arm to his 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 write them to the temperature sheet.
- Shake the thermometer to the level of 35 degrees and lower it into the disinfectant solution.
How to measure temperature in the rectum
Sometimes the process of measuring body temperature in the armpit is not recommended, usually the reason may be:
- General hypothermia of the body.
- Inflammatory processes in the armpit.
- The need to determine ovulation in women.
In such cases, in the rectum, you can measure thermometry, the algorithm will be as follows:
- The patient should lie on his side and his legs to the abdomen.
- The nurse puts on gloves.
- Remove the thermometer from the disinfectant solution.
- Shake to 35 degrees.
- The tip of the thermometer smeared with petroleum jelly.
- Enter into the rectum 2-4 centimeters and ask the patient to squeeze the buttocks.
- Measurement is carried out for 5 minutes.
- Take out the thermometer and see the readings.
- Rinse the thermometer with warm water and place in a container with a disinfectant solution.
- Take off the gloves and wash your hands.
- To record the readings in the journal or patient record, there must be a mark on the measurement site.
The more accurately all the recommendations for measurement are followed, the better the result will be. But it must be borne in mind that in some states the measurement of temperature in the rectum is not allowed:
- Diarrhea.
- Delayed chair.
- Pathology of the rectum.
Temperature measurement in the inguinal crease
When the child is too small, quite often the technique of thermometry, the algorithm also exists, implies a measurement in the inguinal crease. The procedure for performing the procedure should be as follows:
- Given the delicate skin of the baby, after a disinfectant solution, the thermometer should be washed under running water.
- Wipe it dry and shake to 35 degrees.
- The child’s leg should be bent at the hip and knee so that a fold is formed, and place a thermometer in it.
- Measurement is carried out for 5 minutes.
- Get a thermometer and see the readings.
- Shake the thermometer and place in a disinfectant solution.
- Record readings in a log or temperature sheet.
Knowing how such thermometry is conducted, the algorithm of actions, parents at home can always measure the temperature of their little crumbs, if necessary.
Rules for measuring temperature in children
Children differ from adults in their restlessness.even during illness, 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 be carried out, the algorithm must be executed. Here are some rules for measuring temperature in children:
- It is advisable for kids to measure the temperature in the presence of a nurse.
- Pre-thermometer should be heated to room temperature.
- During the measurement, you need to talk affectionately with the baby, and older children can be carried away by telling an interesting story.
- It is important that when thermometry is carried out, the algorithm implies that the child is in the correct position so that the indicators are accurate.
- Preschool children can not measure the temperature in the mouth with a glass thermometer.
Proper implementation of all recommendations for the measurement of body temperature will help to obtain more accurate indications that will help the doctor to choose treatment tactics.
How to use an electronic thermometer
Electronic devices show the same exactindicators, like their mercury counterparts. There is even a relief to measure, when the indicators no longer go up quickly, the thermometer will beep.
It is also necessary to follow some rules for temperature measurement using such a device:
- It is necessary to install a thermometer so that the sensor is in maximum contact with the body. It is advisable to make measurements in the oral cavity or rectum.
- When measured in the armpit, the thermometer is mounted vertically.
- To obtain more accurate readings, it is necessary to keep the thermometer more than the time specified in the instructions.
- If the sound signal appears too early, then this may indicate improper installation of the thermometer.
Before using such a device, you must carefully study the enclosed instructions.
Under what conditions can readings not be accurate?
If in the process when thermometry is carried out, the algorithm is violated, then there is a risk to get incorrect readings. Here are some situations that can lead to measurement errors:
- The health worker or mom forgot to shake the thermometer before measuring.
- If the patient is warmed by a heating pad just from the side where temperature measurement is supposed.
- The thermometer is incorrectly located in the armpit, there is no close contact with the body.
- When the patient purposely simulates a fever.
If the measurement algorithm is strictly observed, then, as a rule, there can be no errors, of course, if the thermometer is working properly.
How to store thermometers
In order for the thermometer to last as long as possible, it is necessary not only to use it properly, but also to store it. In a medical institution, after measuring the temperature, you must:
- Rinse the thermometer under running water.
- Put cotton wool in the container at the bottom to prevent the thermometer from breaking on glass, pour disinfecting solution (0.1% "Chlormix" or 0.1% "Chlorocide").
- Put in the solution thermometers for an hour.
- Then take out, rinse under running water and rub dry.
- Place thermometers in another container with a disinfectant solution and mark that these are clean thermometers.
If we talk about electronic medicalAfter using them, it is enough to wipe them with one of the disinfecting solutions. When choosing such a composition, it is important to consider what material the thermometer case is made of. Most often it happens from plastic, and a tip from metal in which the thermoelement is located.
The thermometer at home is usually notplaced in disinfectant solutions, but after use, you must rinse with water, wipe dry and store in a special case to avoid breaking.
Council Do not rinse mercury thermometer under a stream of hot or warm water, it can cause it to break.
To disinfect the thermometer at home, it is enough to use an antiseptic solution that can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Despite the seeming simplicity of the device, itsproper operation still depends on the usage algorithm. Any deviations from the rules of storage and measurement can lead to inaccurate results.
