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Related Concept Videos

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,...
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Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla

921
Procedural Guide for Assessing Axillary Body Temperature using a Digital Thermometer:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
921
Temperature Measurement Sites01:14

Temperature Measurement Sites

2.6K
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...
2.6K
Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal01:27

Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal

8.7K
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...
8.7K
Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery01:19

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

819
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...
819
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 16, 2025

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

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Is current body temperature measurement practice fit-for-purpose?

Graham Machin1, David Brettle2, Susannah Fleming3

  • 1National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK.

Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology
|February 26, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Inaccurate electronic thermometers may contribute to rising avoidable deaths and antibiotic-resistant infections. Improved governance of clinical thermometry is crucial for ensuring accurate body temperature measurement and patient safety.

Keywords:
COVID-19Clinical thermometryantibiotic resistanceavoidable deathsthermal imaginguncertainty

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Devices
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Patient Safety

Background:

  • Rising rates of avoidable deaths in healthcare globally.
  • Increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs).
  • Shift from mercury to electronic thermometers due to safety concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential impact of body temperature measurement accuracy on adverse healthcare trends.
  • To analyze the implications of unreliable thermometry on disease diagnosis and management.
  • To propose solutions for ensuring the accuracy of electronic thermometers in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Statistical analysis of temperature measurement errors.
  • Evaluation of electronic thermometer performance compared to mercury thermometers.
  • Review of current clinical thermometry practices and governance.

Main Results:

  • Electronic thermometers exhibit lower measurement robustness than mercury thermometers.
  • Inaccurate temperature readings can negatively impact diagnosis and treatment, including for COVID-19.
  • The shift to electronic thermometers, while safer, introduces measurement reliability challenges.

Conclusions:

  • Suboptimal body temperature measurement may exacerbate patient safety issues and contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
  • Enhanced governance is needed to ensure the traceability and long-term accuracy of electronic thermometers.
  • Implementing improved standards for clinical thermometry is essential for patient care.