ASSESSING BODY TEMPERATURE

1-Prepare equipment such Thermometer (tympanic or digital), cotton

Balls (with and without alcohol), and wristwatch with second hand.

2 Wash hands before starting the procedure.

3 Identify the patient and explain the procedure.

4 Provide privacy.

5 Place patient in an appropriate position.

6 Check the battery and or the thermometer if functioning.

7-Place thermometer in clients axilla or ear if tympanic thermometer is

being used. Instruct the patient to hold his arm closed or to stay still.

8-Leave thermometer in place for 5 minutes (while waiting the nurse

may count the patient's radial pulse and respiration).
9-Rinse thermometer in cold water, clean it with alcohol, and rinse again

ASSESSING THE RADIAL PULSE

1-While taking the patients body temperature, begin to assess his
radial pulse rate.
2- Position patients arm comfortably by resting on either his lap, table
or in bed.

3-Support patients wrist by grasping outer aspect of the thumb. Place

index and middle finger over the clients artery and palpate pulse.

4-Count pulse to one full minute using wristwatch with second hand.

Determine your normal heart rate. For adults, normal resting heart rate is 50-70 beats per minute. For
children under age 18, normal heart rate is 70-100 beats per minute. This is the heart rate when he is at
rest. Determine your beats per minute by following the steps listed above.

Remember, you can determine the heart rate by counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying that
number by 4.
Check the strength of the pulse to see if it is strong or weak. the pulse's strength cannot be
calculated. While feeling the pulse, you should decide whether the pulse is "weak", "faint", "strong", or
"bounding
Check the rhythm of the pulse. This is a measurement of the heart's pulsations and the pauses between
them. If your pulse is steady, it should be marked as regular. If you detect a skip or other oddity about the
pulse, it may be irregular bounding".
4- Remove thermometer from the clients axilla or ear.

ASSESSING RESPIRATION
1- After taking the pulse rate, do not remove fingers from the wrist. Observe the
chest movement while supposedly taking the pulse.

2-Count the respiratory rate for one full minute. An inhalation and
exhalation is counted as one respiration. This is observed with the rise
And fall of the chest wall.

3- Observe the depth, rhythm, and character of respirations.

4- Read the result and return thermometer, pulse oximeter ,and other equipment to
proper container.
5- Wash hands.
6- Document reading of body temperature, pulse and respiration.
Record the pertinent data.

Reference
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Fever/hic_How_to_Take
_Your_Temperature
http://www.wikihow.com/Check-Your-Pulse