Oral thermometry
Oral temperature is easily influenced by recent ingestion of food or
drinks and by breathing through the mouth. To measure oral
temperature, the mouth must remain closed and the tongue lowered
for three to four minutes which is a difficult task for young children
to accomplish.
Axillary (armpit) temperature
Although it may be easy to measure axillary temperature, it has
been proven that it does not provide an accurate measurement of
the child’s internal temperature. To take this type of temperature,the
thermometer must be wedged tightly over the axillary artery.Despite
the low sensitivity and relative inaccuracy of axillary temperature in
detecting fever, this method is recommended by The American
Academy of Pediatrics as a screening test for fever in newborns.
Tympanic thermometry
In order to obtain a precise temperature reading, good command of
the measurement technique is required. The thermometer probe
must be placed as close as possible to the warmest part of the
external ear canal. An incorrectly placed probe could lead to a false
temperature reading.
NORMAL TEMPERATURES ACCORDING TO MEASUREMENT METHOD
MEASUREMENT METHOD NORMAL TEMP°
RECTAL 36.6°C – 38°C
ORAL 35.5°C – 37.5°C
AXILLARY 34.7°C – 37.3°C
AURICULAR 35.8°C – 38°C
TEMPORAL (RC008)
35.8°C – 37.8°C
The temperature of the human body varies throughout the day. It
can also be influenced by numerous external factors: age, sex, type
and thickness of skin…
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