The nurse must be aware of these factors when assessing temperature variables and evaluating deviation from normal. In fact simple changes can cause blood pressure to fluctuate between 5 and 40 mmhg. The normal body temperature for an adult is around 986f 37c but every persons baseline body temperature is slightly different and may consistently be a little higher or lower. As hot and cold are both arbitrary terms temperature can further be defined as a measurement of the average thermal energy of a substance 5thermal energy is the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules so temperature in turn measures the average kinetic energy of the atoms and molecules 5. An infant s temperature may respond drastically to changes in the environment. Age related factors affecting body temperature normal body temperature for healthy babies is in the range of 968f to 986f or 36c to 37c.
For new born the temperature control mechanisms are immature. However no person always has exactly the same temperature at every moment of the day. If it falls below 968f then the child has low temperature and needs immediate. Errors introduced by individual variation repeated measurements measuring technique and equipment used for rectal oral ear and axillary body temperature measurement ii. Body temperature readings vary depending on the site of measurement. Temperature control thermoregulation is part of a homeostatic mechanism that keeps the organism at optimum operating temperature as the temperature affects the rate of chemical reactionsin humans the average internal temperature is 370 c 986 f though it varies around this point by 05 to 1 c.
Assessment of body temperature measurement. Many factors affect body temperature. Here are some basic guidelines to understand how temperature readings may vary across the most common measurement sites. Here is a list of 10 factors that can temporarily cause significant deviations in your blood pressure measurements. The specific objectives were to study factors predicting low body temperature in non febrile seniors i. Body temperature is one of the four main vital signs that must be monitored to ensure safe and effective care.
The response to physical activity is an increase in metabolic rate resulting in increased heat production within the body 1heat transfer via blood flow to the skin surface results in heat losses through sweating and radiation 1if temperature regulation during exercise is compromised a sharp rise in body temperature can occur. As a rule an axillary temperature is usually 03c 06 c 05f 1f lower than an oral temperature and a rectal reading is 03c 06c 05f 1f higher than an orally measured reading. Temperature measurement is recommended by the national institute of clinical excellence a part of the initial assessment in acute illness in adults nice 2007 and by the scottish intercollegiate guidelines network guidelines for post operative management in adults sign. What is water temperature. Factors affecting body temperature. Water temperature is a physical property expressing how hot or cold water is.
Most people do not realize their blood pressure is constantly changing minute by minute in response to mood activity body position etc. Physical activity can compromise the bodys normal temperature. If the babys body temperature rises above 1004f to 1013f then it is considered as indication of fever.
Gallery of Factors Affecting Body Temperature Measurement
