Normal Temperature Readings:
Rectal temperature 0.5ºC higher than the oral temperature
Otic temperature or tympanic (ear) is at, or higher than 38ºC (100.4ºF)
Oral temperature is at, or higher than 36.5ºC–37.5ºC (99.5ºF)
Axillary temperature is at, or higher than 37.2ºC (99ºF)
Identify in your clinical area which methods are utilised to measure the temperature (chemical, digital, tympanic or temporal).
How is temperature monitored during surgery?
Identify what alternatives may be used to monitor unconscious patients who cannot shiver or change their body temperature due to anaesthesia.
The ‘gold standard’ of temperature measurement is either the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or any device that can measure the blood temperature directly. The problem with these devices is that they are highly invasive and are only available in high dependency and intensive care settings.