MANUAL PHYSIOLOGY PRACTICAL - Repository:The Medical ...

FM/UOJ
Experiment M2
MEASUREMENT OF BODY TEMPERATURE
The core temperature is maintained around 37°C and shows a slight variation at
certain instances: the diurnal variation, ovulation (in females), and physical exercise.
When it is increased considerably (about 1° or more) the subject is said to have
hyperthermia (pyrexia or fever) and when reduced hypothermia. Accurate measurement
of the temperature is, therefore, very important. The surface temperature is usually less
than the core temperature and depends on several physiological and environmental
factors.
The core temperature is ideally measured in the oesophagus. For convenience it is
generally measured in the mouth at times it is measured in the rectum or in the axilla.
The main aim of the practical is training to record the oral temperature. The
temperatures of the surface at specific points are also measured to illustrate the variation
in surface temperature.
Instruments:
Clinical thermometer and laboratory thermometer
The clinical thermometer is specially made for measurement of oral temperature
the bulb is made of thin glass and the lumen of the shaft is thinner than hair which has a
constriction near the bulb. One surface of the shaft is painted white and the opposite edge
is made into a lens to magnify the mercury column.
Method:
1. Seat the subject comfortably. Take a clinical thermometer, dip it in savlon, wipe it
and wash it in cold water. Hold it tight and shake it so that the level of the
mercury is far below 35°C. Place the thermometer under the tongue of the subject
and ask the subject to keep the mouth closed. Take the thermometer after two
minutes and read the temperature to the accuracy of at least one decimal point.
(The mercury column is visible only in one angle and at a certain distance from
the eye because of the lens). Wash the thermometer in the tap water and replace it
in savlon.
2. Keep the bulb of the clinical thermometer in the axilla, cover the bulb with the
arm for two minutes and record the temperature.
3. Keep the thermometer in the cubital fossa and flex the forearm so that the bulb is
fully covered. Keep it for two minutes and record the temperature.
4. Keep the thermometer in the palm and cover the bulb by closing the fingers tightly
for two minutes and record the temperature.
5. Keep the thermometer in popliteal fossa and flex the leg so that the bulb is fully
covered. Keep it for two minutes and record the temperature.
Note: If in any of the above, the temperature happens to be below the measurable level of
the clinical thermometer, and ordinary thermometer could be used. Then, it must be
remembered that the temperature should be read while the bulb is in place and not after
removing.
Metabolism & Temperature
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