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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...
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...
Thermometers and Temperature Scales01:22

Thermometers and Temperature Scales

Any physical property that depends consistently and reproducibly on temperature can be used as the basis of a thermometer. For example, volume increases with temperature for most substances. This property is the basis for the common alcohol thermometer and the original mercury thermometers. Other properties used to measure temperature include electrical resistance, color, and the emission of infrared radiation.
As many physical properties depend on temperature, the variety of thermometers is...
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: May 18, 2026

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise
08:22

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise

Published on: October 7, 2015

Thermometry in children.

Prerna Batra1, Abhijeet Saha, Moonis Mohammed Akbar Faridi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Associated Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock
|September 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Accurate pediatric temperature measurement is crucial for detecting fever and hypothermia. Temporal artery thermometry is recommended for all ages, while tympanic artery thermometry is suitable for children over two.

Keywords:
Childrenfevertemperature measurement

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Medical Thermometry
  • Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

  • Accurate temperature measurement is vital for pediatric fever and hypothermia detection.
  • Ideal methods should be safe, noninvasive, cost-effective, and reflect core body temperature.
  • Invasive methods like pulmonary artery, esophageal, bladder, and nasopharyngeal thermometry are difficult in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on pediatric temperature measurement techniques.
  • To identify the most accurate and practical methods for assessing core body temperature in children.
  • To provide guidance on preferred thermometry methods based on age and invasiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on pediatric thermometry.
  • Comparison of invasive and noninvasive temperature measurement techniques.
  • Evaluation of accuracy, safety, and clinical applicability of different methods.

Main Results:

  • Rectal thermometry is considered close to core temperature but has drawbacks.
  • Tympanic artery thermometry is effective for children over two years of age.
  • Temporal artery thermometry is gaining precedence for all pediatric age groups due to its noninvasive nature.

Conclusions:

  • Temporal artery thermometry is a preferred noninvasive method for pediatric patients of all ages.
  • Tympanic artery thermometry is a suitable alternative for children older than two years.
  • These methods offer a balance of accuracy, safety, and ease of use in pediatric care.