Which statement is correct regarding taking or interpreting axillary temperatures

Q: Which of the following is important when measuring an axillary temperature?

The axillary route is a minimally invasive way to measure temperature. It is commonly used in children. It is important to ensure that the thermometer is as high up in the axilla as possible with full skin contact and that the clients arm is then lowered down.

Q: Which is the correct technique for measuring arm lengths?

The measurement of arm length is the distance from the tip of shoulder to the tip of the little finger. It is a simple though important measure in the anthropometrical profiling of athletes for certain sports.

Q: Which of the following is not true regarding the measurement of the body temperature?

The normal human body temperature is 37°C . Hence, the statement The normal temperature of the human body is 98°C is not correct.

Q: In which of the following situations should the oral method of measuring a patients body temperature not be used?

Measurement of the oral temperature is not recommended for individuals who are unconscious, unresponsive, confused, have an endotracheal tube secured in the mouth, and cannot follow instructions.

Comparative Study

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How reliable is axillary temperature measurement?
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Which of the following is important when measuring an axillary temperature?
Which is the correct technique for measuring arm lengths?
Which of the following is not true regarding the measurement of the body temperature?
In which of the following situations should the oral method of measuring a patient's body temperature not be used?

How reliable is axillary temperature measurement?

A Falzon et al. Acta Paediatr. 2003.

Abstract

Aim: To assess whether axillary temperature measurements reliably reflect oral/rectal temperature measurements.

Methods: This observational study compared paired axillary-rectal and axillary-oral temperatures in a general paediatric ward with the participation of 225 children aged < or = 4 y and 112 children aged between 4 and 14 y.

Results: Changes in oral/rectal and axillary temperatures correlated significantly (p < 0.0001). However, axillary temperature measurements were significantly lower than both oral (mean -0.56 degrees C, SD 0.76 degrees C) and rectal measurements (0.38 degrees C; SD 0.76 degrees C). Ninety-five percent of axillary measurements fell within a 2.5-3 degrees C range around respective paired oral/rectal measurements. The mean difference increased with increasing temperature, and was 0.4 degrees C at low body temperatures, and over 1 degree C with a fever of 39 degrees C. Neither seasonal fluctuations nor the amount of clothing worn influenced this difference.

Conclusion: Axillary temperatures in young children do not reliably reflect oral/rectal temperatures and should therefore be interpreted with caution.

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Which of the following is important when measuring an axillary temperature?

The axillary route is a minimally invasive way to measure temperature. It is commonly used in children. It is important to ensure that the thermometer is as high up in the axilla as possible with full skin contact and that the client's arm is then lowered down.

Which is the correct technique for measuring arm lengths?

The measurement of arm length is the distance from the tip of shoulder to the tip of the little finger. It is a simple though important measure in the anthropometrical profiling of athletes for certain sports.

Which of the following is not true regarding the measurement of the body temperature?

The normal human body temperature is 37°C . Hence, the statement “ The normal temperature of the human body is 98°C “ is not correct.

In which of the following situations should the oral method of measuring a patient's body temperature not be used?

Measurement of the oral temperature is not recommended for individuals who are unconscious, unresponsive, confused, have an endotracheal tube secured in the mouth, and cannot follow instructions.