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Related Concept Videos

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal01:27

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal

9.1K
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...
9.1K
Temperature Measurement Sites01:14

Temperature Measurement Sites

2.7K
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...
2.7K
Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature01:13

Equipments Used to Measure Body Temperature

1.5K
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,...
1.5K
Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery01:19

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

854
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...
854
Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane

958
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...
958
Assessing Body Temperature - Oral01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Oral

1.1K
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...
1.1K

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Using an Ingestible Telemetric Temperature Pill to Assess Gastrointestinal Temperature During Exercise
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Comparison between temporal and rectal temperature measurement.

Hanne Nygaard1, Christian Maschmann, Anette Ekmann

  • 1hanne.nygaard@regionh.dk.

Danish Medical Journal
|November 20, 2020
PubMed
Summary

The temporal artery thermometer (TAT) is not recommended for acutely admitted medical patients. Rectal thermometers (REC) are more accurate for non-invasive temperature measurement in this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Devices
  • Clinical Thermometry
  • Patient Monitoring

Background:

  • Digital thermometers, including the temporal artery thermometer (TAT), are increasingly used in hospitals.
  • Previous studies indicated TAT accuracy issues in pediatric, surgical, cancer, and intensive care patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the accuracy of the temporal artery thermometer (TAT) against a conventional rectal thermometer (REC).
  • To evaluate TAT accuracy specifically in acutely admitted medical patients in an emergency department setting.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, comparative study involving 381 acutely admitted medical patients.
  • Temperature measurements taken sequentially with TAT and REC within a seven-minute interval.
  • Analysis using Bland-Altman plots, sensitivity, and specificity calculations.

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Main Results:

  • Temperature differences between TAT and REC ranged from -1.7 °C to 1.7 °C.
  • Mean difference was 0.17 with a standard deviation of ±0.47.
  • Sensitivity of TAT was 67%, and specificity was 96%.

Conclusions:

  • The temporal artery thermometer (TAT) is not recommended as a substitute for rectal thermometers (REC) in acutely admitted medical patients.
  • Rectal thermometers provide more reliable non-invasive temperature measurements for this demographic.