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THEME 2:
THE FEVER. THERMOMETRY
Purpose:
learn to measure body temperature and register it in temperature
sheet.
As a result of studying the topic, the student must know:
1. Thermometer, types of thermometers. Basic principles of body temperature
measurement. Cleaning, the rules of storage and using of thermometers.
2. The concept of fever. Types of fever by duration and degree of
temperature increase.
3. Periods of fever, help to the patient on each of them
4. Types of temperature curves.
the student must be able to do:
1.Measure the body temperature, register the body temperature in the
temperature sheet of the medical history.
Content of training material
The measurement of body temperature
Lethal temperature is the temperature of the human body, at which structural
changes of cells, irreversible metabolic disorders occur. Lethal maximum
temperature is 43 °C, minimum 15–23 °C.
Body temperature is measured on the skin (in the natural folds – armpit,
inguinal folds) and mucous membranes (in the mouth, rectum, vagina). Normal
body temperature values:
• in the armpit-an average of 36.4 °C, fluctuations from 35° to 37 °C;
• in the oral cavity-an average of 36.8 °C, fluctuations from 36° to 37.3 °C;
• in the rectum-an average of 37.3 °C, fluctuations from 36.6° to 37.7 °C.
Body temperature measured in the hospital 2 times per day – in the morning,
after sleeping, on an empty stomach in 7–8 hours a.m. (since body temperature is
the minimal of 3–6 a.m.) and in the evening, after a day rest before dinner at
17–18 hours (since at this time the body temperature is maximal).
The sequence of actions in the measurement of body temperature in axillary
hollow
.
1. Explain to the patient the meaning of the procedure and get his consent.
2. Make sure that the thermometer is not damaged.
3. Wipe the thermometer dry.
4. Make sure the thermometer scale reading is below 35 °C; if the reading is
higher, the thermometer needs to be shaken.