Measuring body temperature

McCallum, Louise
Higgins, Dan

Louise McCallum is lecturer, the University of the West of Scotland, Ayr; Dan Higgins is a freelance educator, resuscitation and critical care, and senior charge nurse, critical care, at University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation Trust.

•This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 108(45):p 20-22, November 6, 2012.

Abstract

McCallum L, Higgins D (2012) Measuring body temperature. Nursing Times; 108: 45, 20-22.

Body temperature is one of the four main vital signs that must be monitored to ensure safe and effective care. Temperature measurement is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence a part of the initial assessment in acute illness in adults () and by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines for post-operative management in adults (). Despite applying in all healthcare environments, wide variations exist on the methods and techniques used to measure body temperature.

It is essential to use the most appropriate technique to ensure that temperature is measured accurately. Inaccurate results may influence diagnosis and treatment, lead to a failure to identify patient deterioration and compromise patient safety.

This article explains the importance of temperature regulation and compares methods of its measurement.

Body temperature is a vital sign and it is important to measure it accurately. This article reviews and compares the various methods available to nurses

In this article…

▸ The physiological processes that regulate body temperature
▸ The clinical indications for measuring temperature
▸ A review of various methods of temperature measurement