How To Measure Body Temperature in Different Body Parts Do You Really Know How To Measure Body Temperature Correctly?

Abstract: From the perspective of the material of the thermometer, it can be divided into four types: glass mercury thermometer, electronic thermometer, infrared thermometer and chemical punctuation. There are a total of 5 parts of the human body that can be used to measure body temperature, namely the armpit, forehead, ear canal, oral cavity and rectum. When measuring body temperature, if the correct method is not taken, the body temperature result obtained will be inaccurate. So, what is the correct way to measure body temperature? Next, let's get to know it together!

Where is the most accurate place to measure body temperature

In fact, roughly speaking, all parts are the same, and there may be errors due to measurement, but in general it will not deviate from human body temperature. Different parts should be selected according to different test objects when measuring. Body temperature is usually measured in the armpit, oral cavity, and rectum. The rectum is closest to body temperature, and body temperature is closest to accuracy. However, it is inconvenient to measure the rectal part. In clinical practice, oral and axillary temperatures are often measured.

Temperature measurement methods for different body parts

1. Mouth

How to use: Disinfect the mouth surface before measuring the temperature, and place the end of the thermometer under the tongue obliquely. Relax, close your mouth and breathe through your nose, pay attention not to bite the thermometer with your teeth, do not talk, take it out after 3 minutes, and check the reading.

Note: Children who are too young cannot hold the thermometer, and children who are too big may bite the thermometer and swallow mercury. Therefore, oral temperature measurement is not suitable for infants and young children.

2. Rectum

How to use: An anal meter should be used for anal temperature measurement. First shake the mercury column below 35°C, apply a little paraffin oil or cooking oil on the anal gauge head, lie on your side, then gently insert the gauge 2-2.5cm from the anus, take it out after 3 minutes, wipe it clean with a paper towel, Look at the temperature.

Note: wash with soapy water after use, patients with diarrhea and constipation should not use this method.

3. In the ear

How to use: Pull the pinna back and down, insert the probe into the ear canal, make sure the probe is on the same level as the eardrum, and you can take a reading.

Note: The advantages of infrared ear thermometers are fast, accurate, safe and easy to carry. The eardrum and the hypothalamus, the temperature control center of the brain, have the same blood supply source, so the eardrum can clearly and accurately reflect changes in body temperature, but this method of temperature measurement has some requirements for the ear canal, and there must be no obstructions or excessive blood pressure in the ear. Accurate temperature can only be measured by the accumulation of earwax.

4. Armpit

How to use: Shake the mercury mercury column of the thermometer to below 35°C before use. Put the mercury end of the thermometer on the top of the armpit (that is, the deepest armpit), and clamp the thermometer with the upper arm to avoid dislocation or falling; measure for 5-10 minutes; take out the thermometer, after reading the temperature data, wipe the thermometer with toilet paper, for the next time or for others to use.

Note: If there is sweat under the armpit, it needs to be wiped dry before measuring. If the measurement time is not up and you loosen the armpit, you need to re-measure, and the time should be recalculated. In addition, all factors that affect the actual body temperature (such as drinking boiled water or cold drinks, etc.) should be avoided before measuring the body temperature. Drinking hot drinks, strenuous exercise, emotional excitement and taking a bath need to be measured after 30 minutes.

5. Forehead

How to use: Put on the special disposable plastic sleeve for infrared thermometer, place it on the forehead above the middle of the eyes, press the button and gently sweep the thermometer against the skin to the forehead side (outside the temple), and you can see to the temperature reading on the screen.

Note: The temperature of the forehead belongs to the temperature of the body surface, which is not as accurate as the method of measuring the body temperature.