The correct method and steps to take body temperature

When we suffer from diseases that affect the entire body, such as colds and fevers, the body temperature usually rises. The rise in body temperature can cause great harm to the brain and even affect intelligence. After we take some measures to cool down, we need to use a thermometer to measure the body temperature to see if it has returned to normal. However, if the correct method is not used to measure the body temperature, it will be inaccurate. Here we will introduce the correct method of measuring body temperature.

1. Oral test method.

Place a sterilized thermometer under the tongue, close your lips tightly, and do not breathe through your mouth to prevent cold air from entering your mouth and affecting the temperature inside the cavity. Read the reading after five minutes. The body temperature measured by oral measurement is called oral temperature. The normal temperature is between 36.2 and 37.2 degrees.

2. Anal measurement method.

The patient lies on his side, lubricates the rectal thermometer head, and slowly inserts it into the anus until it reaches half the length of the thermometer. Read the reading after five minutes. The body temperature measured by rectal measurement is called rectal temperature, and the normal temperature is between 36.5 degrees and 37.7 degrees. Anal measurement is mostly used in children and unconscious patients.

3. Axillary measurement method.

Wipe off the sweat in your armpits (sweat will lower the thermometer reading), place the thermometer deep in your armpit, clamp the thermometer with your upper arm, and read the reading after 10 minutes. The body temperature measured by the axillary method is called axillary temperature, and the normal body temperature is between 36 and 37 degrees. The axillary measurement method is safer, more convenient and less prone to cross infection.

Note:

There are several factors that can cause errors in measuring body temperature. For example, the mercury column is not shaken to below 36 degrees before measurement, but the measurement result is higher than the actual body temperature; the measurement time is insufficient, the thermometer is placed in the wrong position when taking axillary temperature, or the patient does not clamp it tightly enough, which will make the measurement result lower than the actual body temperature; there are cold or hot objects such as ice bags and hot water bags near the thermometer that affect the local body temperature, or gargling with hot water or wiping the armpits with a hot towel before testing, etc., which may affect the accuracy of the thermometer reading.

When measuring body temperature, you should note that normal body temperature varies slightly between different individuals. A woman's body temperature is slightly higher than normal before menstruation and during pregnancy. The body temperature of the elderly is relatively lower than that of young and middle-aged people because their metabolic rate is slightly lower. Even for the same person, body temperature fluctuates within 24 hours. Generally, body temperature in the afternoon is slightly higher than that in the morning. Body temperature may also rise slightly after strenuous exercise, labor or meals, but the fluctuation range generally does not exceed 1 degree.