Uses Of A Clinical Thermometer

Uses Of A Clinical Thermometer

Clinical thermometers, also known as medical thermometers or Doctors thermometers, are used to take the temperature of humans and animals. Traditional thermometers use thermometric liquids (such as alcohol, mercury) to measure the temperature in the body cavities (oral, rectal and vaginal) or in other auxiliary points, such as the armpit. Many modern thermometers use infrared radiation to record temperature at alternative points, such as the eardrum and forehead.

The temperature of the human body

The temperature of the human body is measured as a reflection of relative health. A significantly elevated (or sometimes too low) temperature that is not within the normal range may indicate the presence of a disease. Clinical thermometers generally measure a range of 95 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (or 35 to 40 degrees Celsius). Normal human temperatures are usually in the range of 35 to 37 degrees, although there may be significant variations between person and person. Temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) or more indicate the presence of fever; for infants, readings of 100. 4 degrees or more (38 degrees Celsius or more) need immediate medical attention to rule out the presence of a serious infection.

The body temperature of an animal

Clinical thermometers can also be used to measure the body temperatures of animals. As with humans, fever in animals can indicate infection or disease. Few animals will actually hold a thermometer in their mouths enough to record their temperature readings. Therefore, they should be taken rectally or tympanically to ensure accuracy. Before attempting to interpret the readings, familiarize yourself with the normal range of temperatures for the species of the animal in question and make sure that that range is reflected on the thermometer used.

Female Fertility Prediction

Women can use thermometers to help predict their fertile periods. The basal body temperature (or BBT, according to its acronym in English), is the lowest temperature (the baseline) reached when resting. The BBT is taken around 6 A.M. and after having slept five hours. The BBT usually makes a peak of at least 0.4 degrees in a 48-hour period when ovulation occurs. The BBT remains elevated until menstruation appears; of being pregnant, the BBT remains slightly elevated. A woman who uses this method to predict ovulation should make a chart of temperatures over several cycles to predict when her optimal fertility is. Once you have ovulated, it is probably too late to have sex in order to achieve conception during that cycle; however, you can use the BBT to confirm that you are ovulating and becoming familiar with your cycle.

There are special thermometers for fertility, but standard clinical thermometers serve perfectly to measure BBT.

Note

Clinical thermometers should be lubricated before anal or vaginal introduction in both humans and animals, and should be perfectly disinfected and sterilized before and after each use.

Video Tutorial: Clinical Thermometer - Mercury and Digital..

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