Temperature taking is the integral part of patient care as it influences diagnosis and subsequent patient management. The aim of measurement of body temperature is to obtain a representative average temperature and measurement sites are important factors to be taken into consideration while doing so.
Literature reviews based on literature research (different sites of temperature measurements) in MEDLINE and CIHNAHL, namely the oral and axilla site, was done to evaluate our research question: is a person oral temperature related to the axilla temperature?
Oral Temperature
The axilla and oral cavity have been the classical locations for measuring body temperature. Temperature taken in the oral site with proper technique will provide accurate surface temperature reading. This is because its proximity to the external carotid artery which allows oral temperature to reflect changes in core temperature (Blatties, 1998), but the sublingual temperature will differ between the right and left posterior pockets and front area in the oral cavity (Modell et al, 1998). Salivation, previous intake of hot or cold food and fluids, gum chewing, smoking and rapid breathing would be the other possible influencing factors (Blatties, 1998: Rabinowitz et al, 1996).
Axilla Temperature
Ambient temperature, local blood flow, underarm sweat, inappropriate placement of the probe or poor closure of the axillary cavity, and the time it takes to record a reading will strongly affect the accuracy of the axilla site (Blatties, 1998). Moreover, a temperature difference of 1.4ºC between the right and left axilla has been found in a study (Howell, 1972). Axilla measurements, even with careful positioning, it slowly detects changes in core temperature and the readings are widely deviate from the other measurements sites (Robinson et al, 1998), especially during fever. These factors make the axilla site inappropriate for approximating core body temperature. It does not reliably reflect oral temperature and therefore axilla temperature should be interpreted carefully (Falzon, Grech, Caruana, Margo & Attard-Montalto, 2003).
Normal Body Temperature
Today, World Health Organisation define normal core temperature was taken to be 36.5°C to 37.5°C. Besides, research findings are contradictory among the different sites of temperature taken; however it is generally accepted that the axilla temperature is 0.5ºC lower than oral temperatures (Potter & Perry, 2006).
The results may also be influenced by several confounding factors: e.g. age differences, the influence of thermoregulation, ageing factor and ovulation, which can affect female body temperature (Sund-Lavender, Forsberg & Wahren, 2002).
However, this study was carried out to ascertain the relationship of whether oral temperature related to axilla temperature in 30 young adult students, aged of 18 to 27 from Nanyang Polytechnic without taking the consideration of most of the factors.
Yet, we would like to find out whether the relationship of oral and axilla temperature for males and females is still the same when gender factor is taken for consideration.
However, this study was carried out to ascertain the relationship of whether oral temperature related to axilla temperature in 30 young adult students, aged of 18 to 27 from Nanyang Polytechnic without taking the consideration of most of the factors.
Yet, we would like to find out whether the relationship of oral and axilla temperature for males and females is still the same when gender factor is taken for consideration.
Labels: LITERATURE REVIEW
