Temperature measurement is a method to take a person's temperature and determine whether it is within a normal range. A high temperature is a fever.
How the test is performedIn the past, a glass thermometer filled with Mercury was used to measure body temperature. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends against using mercury thermometers because the glass can break, and mercury is poisonous.
Electronic thermometers are most commonly used and recommended. The temperature is displayed on a digital readout. Follow the directions that come with the thermometer. Electronic probe thermometers can be placed in the mouth, rectum, or armpit.
Plastic strip thermometers change color to indicate the temperature. This method is the least accurate. Place the strip on the forehead and read it after 1 minute. Read it while the strip is in place. Plastic strip thermometers for the mouth are also available.
Always clean the thermometer before using. You can use cool, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. If you are using a glass thermometer, grip the end opposite the bulb and shake the thermometer downwards until it reads 95F or less.
You can measure the temperature on three body locations:
Mouth -- place the thermometer under the tongue and close the mouth. Breathe through the nose, and use the lips to hold the thermometer tightly in place. Leave the thermometer in the mouth for 3 minutes or until the device beeps.
Rectum -- this method is for infants and small children who are not able to hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. Place petroleum jelly on the bulb of a rectal thermometer. Place the small child face down on a flat surface or lap. Spread the buttocks and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about 1/2 to 1 inch into the anal canal. Be careful not to insert the thermometer too far. Prevent the child from struggling, since this can accidentally push the thermometer in further. Remove the thermometer after 3 minutes or when the device beeps.
Armpit -- place the thermometer in the armpit, with the arm pressed against the body for 5 minutes before reading. This is the least accurate method for using a glass thermometer.
Electronic ear thermometers are common and convenient, but some users report that the results are less consistent than probe thermometers.
Digital thermometers have easy-to-read displays. To read a glass thermometer, gripping the end opposite the bulb so that the numbers are facing you. Roll the thermometer back and forth between your fingers until you see a silver or red reflection in the column. Compare the end of the column with the degree marking in the lines on the thermometer.
How to prepare for the testWait at least 1 hour after vigorous exercise or a hot bath before measuring body temperature. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking a hot or cold liquid.
How the test will feelThere is very little discomfort.
Why the test is performedThe measurement of body temperature determines whether a person has a fever. It may be helpful in monitoring to see if a person is ill or whether a treatment is working -- especially in antibiotic treatment of infections.
Normal ValuesThe normal temperature varies by person, age, time of day, and where on the body the temperature was taken. The average normal body temperature is 98.6F (37C).
Your body temperature is usually highest in the evening. It can be raised by physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity.
Daily variations change as children get older:
For information on when to call a doctor due to specific temperatures and ages, see the article on fever.
What abnormal results meanIf the reading on the thermometer is more than 1 to 1.5 degrees above the patient's normal temperature, the patient has a fever. Most fevers are a sign of infection and occur with other symptoms. Abnormally high or low temperatures can be serious, and you should consult a health care provider.
What the risks areThere is essentially no risk. There is a rare risk of bowel perforation if the rectal thermometer is not carefully inserted.
ReferencesMackowiak PA. Temperature regulation and pathogenesis of fever. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 50.
Powell KR. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 174.
Temperature measurement is a method to take a person's temperature and determine whether it is within a normal range. A high temperature is a fever.
How the test is performedIn the past, a glass thermometer filled with mercury was used to measure body temperature. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends against using mercury thermometers because the glass can break, and mercury is poisonous.
Electronic thermometers are most commonly used and recommended. The temperature is displayed on a digital readout. Follow the directions that come with the thermometer. Electronic probe thermometers can be placed in the mouth, rectum, or armpit.
Plastic strip thermometers change color to indicate the temperature. This method is the least accurate. Place the strip on the forehead and read it after 1 minute. Read it while the strip is in place. Plastic strip thermometers for the mouth are also available.
Always clean the thermometer before using. You can use cool, soapy water or rubbing alcohol. If you are using a glass thermometer, grip the end opposite the bulb and shake the thermometer downwards until it reads 95°F or less.
You can measure the temperature on three body locations:
Mouth -- place the thermometer under the tongue and close the mouth. Breathe through the nose, and use the lips to hold the thermometer tightly in place. Leave the thermometer in the mouth for 3 minutes or until the device beeps.
Rectum -- this method is for infants and small children who are not able to hold a thermometer safely in their mouths. Place petroleum jelly on the bulb of a rectal thermometer. Place the small child face down on a flat surface or lap. Spread the buttocks and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about 1/2 to 1 inch into the anal canal. Be careful not to insert the thermometer too far. Prevent the child from struggling, since this can accidentally push the thermometer in further. Remove the thermometer after 3 minutes or when the device beeps.
Armpit -- place the thermometer in the armpit, with the arm pressed against the body for 5 minutes before reading. This is the least accurate method for using a glass thermometer.
Electronic ear thermometers are common and convenient, but some users report that the results are less consistent than probe thermometers.
Digital thermometers have easy-to-read displays. To read a glass thermometer, gripping the end opposite the bulb so that the numbers are facing you. Roll the thermometer back and forth between your fingers until you see a silver or red reflection in the column. Compare the end of the column with the degree marking in the lines on the thermometer.
How to prepare for the testWait at least 1 hour after vigorous exercise or a hot bath before measuring body temperature. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking a hot or cold liquid.
How the test will feelThere is very little discomfort.
Why the test is performedThe measurement of body temperature determines whether a person has a fever. It may be helpful in monitoring to see if a person is ill or whether a treatment is working -- especially in antibiotic treatment of infections.
Normal ValuesThe normal temperature varies by person, age, time of day, and where on the body the temperature was taken. The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
Your body temperature is usually highest in the evening. It can be raised by physical activity, strong emotion, eating, heavy clothing, medications, high room temperature, and high humidity.
Daily variations change as children get older:
For information on when to call a doctor due to specific temperatures and ages, see the article on fever.
What abnormal results meanIf the reading on the thermometer is more than 1 to 1.5 degrees above the patient's normal temperature, the patient has a fever. Most fevers are a sign of infection and occur with other symptoms. Abnormally high or low temperatures can be serious, and you should consult a health care provider.
What the risks areThere is essentially no risk. There is a rare risk of bowel perforation if the rectal thermometer is not carefully inserted.
ReferencesMackowiak PA. Temperature regulation and pathogenesis of fever. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 50.
Powell KR. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 174.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/13/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
No temperature is a specific measurement of heat. Thus at a temperature of absolute zero there is no heat but there is a temperature measurement.
The Celsius temperature scale is NOT a metric measurement, because degrees Celsius is parallel measurement of Kelvin, and Kelvin is not a metric measurement.
An example of a system of temperature measurement is how my girlfriend looks: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Electrical methods for temperature measurement include use of thermometers and thermocouple.
Temperature is a measurement of heat. Heat is not an example of temperature.
different measurement of temperature
No temperature is a specific measurement of heat. Thus at a temperature of absolute zero there is no heat but there is a temperature measurement.
temperature is measurement of heat
The Celsius temperature scale is NOT a metric measurement, because degrees Celsius is parallel measurement of Kelvin, and Kelvin is not a metric measurement.
An example of a system of temperature measurement is how my girlfriend looks: HOT! HOT! HOT!
Scientists DO have a measurement of temperature of objects which makes the question irrelevant.
Electrical methods for temperature measurement include use of thermometers and thermocouple.
Temperature.
The Temperature
Enthalpy is the measurement of heat, Joule (J) is the unit. Temperature is not a measurement of heat. Temperature has the unit Kelvin (K) or Celsius (oC)
Temperature is a measurement of heat. Heat is not an example of temperature.
temperature gauge, temperature measurement device