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Related Concept Videos

Temperature Measurement Sites01:14

Temperature Measurement Sites

A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery01:19

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

Here is a stepwise guide to assessing the body temperature at the temporal artery using a temporal artery thermometer
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.  
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...
Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature01:13

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,...
Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal01:27

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal

Rectal temperature measurement is considered the most precise method for assessing core body temperature and typically registers higher than oral temperature. For adults, the rectal thermometer should be inserted 1 to 1.5 inches into the rectum to obtain the most accurate reading.
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane

Assessing tympanic membrane temperature involves using a tympanic membrane thermometer (TMT). Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Begin by practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
Step 2: Turn on the thermometer and wait until the ready sign appears on the screen to ensure accurate measurement.
Step 3: Slide the probe cover in place to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Instruct the patient to tilt their head to the side for comfort and check for cerumen...
Assessing Body Temperature - Oral01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Oral

Here are the steps to accurately measure oral temperature using an electronic thermometer:
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Bedside, Single Burr Hole Approach to Multimodality Monitoring in Severe Brain Injury
06:18

A Bedside, Single Burr Hole Approach to Multimodality Monitoring in Severe Brain Injury

Published on: March 26, 2019

Reliability issues in human brain temperature measurement.

Charmaine Childs1, Graham Machin

  • 1Brain Injury Research Group, School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, Clinical Sciences Building, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD, UK. charmaine.childs@manchester.ac.uk

Critical Care (London, England)
|July 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Accurate brain temperature sensors show differences of 0.1-0.2°C, suggesting real temperature variations in severe brain trauma patients. Body temperature sensors require secure placement for reliable readings.

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Reliable Acquisition of Electroencephalography Data during Simultaneous Electroencephalography and Functional MRI
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Brain temperature's impact on clinical outcomes in severe brain trauma is not well understood.
  • Discrepancies in brain temperature measurements may arise from true physiological differences or measurement error.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance and measurement uncertainty of brain and body temperature sensors used in neurocritical care.
  • To determine the reliability of temperature monitoring in patients with severe brain trauma.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ultra-stable organic fixed-point temperature sources for calibration.
  • Tested two types of brain sensors and one body sensor under laboratory and bedside conditions.
  • Calculated measurement uncertainty using internationally recognized methodologies.

Main Results:

  • Brain sensors demonstrated high accuracy, with average differences from reference temperatures within +/- 0.24°C.
  • Body sensor readings were position-dependent, showing variations of -0.5°C to -1.4°C.
  • Overall measurement uncertainties were +/- 0.18°C (brain type 1), +/- 0.10°C (brain type 2), and +/- 0.12°C (body type).

Conclusions:

  • Brain temperature sensors are accurate, with precision to within 0.1-0.2°C.
  • Temperature differences exceeding 0.1-0.2°C between brain and body are likely physiological.
  • Ensuring stable positioning of body temperature sensors is crucial for accurate measurements.