Body temperature is a measure of your bodys ability to make and get rid of heat. Core body temperature cbt is an important and commonly used indicator of human health and endurance performance.
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Body temperature measurement sites. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. As the ear site is close to the hypothalamus and quickly responds to changes in the set point temperature it is a preferable and recommendable site for measurement of body temperature. Wait at least 1 hour after heavy exercise or a hot bath before measuring body temperature. What most people think of a normal body temperature which is an oral temperature of 986f is an average of normal body temperatures in a large population of people. Since catheters are highly invasive the generally accepted alternative for measuring core body temperature is through rectal measurements. The average normal body temperature is 986f 37c.
These include the measurement site the reliability of the instrument and user technique pusnik and miklavec 2009. Rectal temperature is expected to be approximately 1 fahrenheit or 055 celsius degree higher than an oral temperature taken on the same person at the same time. The precision and accuracy of temperature measurements at different sites within the body have been evaluated 3 4 and each site has its advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes babies and young children have higher body temperature ranges than adults for armpit and ear measurements. Sites which have been used for measurement of cbt include the pulmonary artery the esophagus the rectum and the tympanic membrane. Frail elderly individuals might have a low normal body temperature and therefore be at risk of being assessed as non febrile.
The measurement of core body temperature may seem simple but several issues affect the accuracy of the reading. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes after smoking eating or drinking a hot or cold liquid. Temporal measurements are closer to true core body temperature and provided that the probe has been properly positioned will give readings that are closer to average body temperatures of 986 f. As with rectal measurement sites tympanic thermometers may give slightly higher readings with the average temperature around 995 f. Measuring body temperature is necessary to find and document abnormal temperature. When you are too hot the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skins surface.
There are many methods to measure body temperature. A normal body temperature for infants aged 02 years ranges from 979100. A rise in baseline cbt can be attributed to an onset of flu infection or even thermoregulatory failure when it becomes excessive. The ideal site for monitoring temperature should reflect the core temperature and should be associated with minimal or no morbidity.
Gallery of Body Temperature Measurement Sites
