Display options
Cite
Smith LS. Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults - A comparison study. BMC Nurs. 2003;2(1):1doi: 10.1186/1472-6955-2-1.
Smith, L. S. (2003). Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults - A comparison study. BMC nursing, 2(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-2-1
Smith, Linda S. "Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults - A comparison study." BMC nursing vol. 2,1 (2003): 1. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-2-1
Smith LS. Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults - A comparison study. BMC Nurs. 2003 Jun 15;2(1):1. doi: 10.1186/1472-6955-2-1. PMID: 12807535; PMCID: PMC166172.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

BMC Nurs. 2003 Jun 15;2(1):1. doi: 10.1186/1472-6955-2-1.

Reexamining age, race, site, and thermometer type as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults - A comparison study.

BMC nursing

Linda S Smith

Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 12807535 PMCID: PMC166172 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6955-2-1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: As a result of the recent international vigilance regarding disease assessment, accurate measurement of body temperature has become increasingly important. Yet, trusted low-tech, portable mercury glass thermometers are no longer available. Thus, comparing accuracy of mercury-free thermometers with mercury devices is essential. Study purposes were 1) to examine age, race, site as variables affecting temperature measurement in adults, and 2) to compare clinical accuracy of low-tech Galinstan-in-glass device to mercury-in-glass at oral, axillary, groin, and rectal sites in adults. METHODS: Setting 176 bed accredited healthcare facility, rural northwest USParticipants Convenience sample (N = 120) of hospitalized persons GreaterEqual; 18 years old.Instruments Temperatures ( degrees F) measured at oral, skin (simultaneous), immediately followed by rectal sites with four each mercury-glass (BD) and Galinstan-glass (Geratherm) thermometers; 10 minute dwell times. RESULTS: Participants averaged 61.6 years (SD 17.9), 188 pounds (SD 55.3); 61% female; race: 85% White, 8.3% Native Am., 4.2% Hispanic, 1.7 % Asian, 0.8% Black. For both mercury and Galinstan-glass thermometers, within-subject temperature readings were highest rectally; followed by oral, then skin sites. Galinstan assessments demonstrated rectal sites 0.91 degrees F > oral and FullEqual; 1.3 degrees F > skin sites. Devices strongly correlated between and across sites. Site difference scores between devices showed greatest variability at skin sites; least at rectal site. 95% confidence intervals of difference scores by site ( degrees F): oral (0.142 - 0.265), axilla (0.167 - 0.339), groin (0.037 - 0.321), and rectal (-0.111 - 0.111). Race correlated with age, temperature readings each site and device. CONCLUSION: Temperature readings varied by age, race. Mercury readings correlated with Galinstan thermometer readings at all sites. Site mean differences between devices were considered clinically insignificant. Still considered the gold standard, mercury-glass thermometers may no longer be available worldwide. Therefore, mercury-free, environmentally safe low-tech Galinstan-in-glass may be an appropriate replacement. This is especially important as we face new, internationally transmitted diseases.

References

  1. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2000 Mar-Apr;25(2):76-9 - PubMed
  2. Geriatr Nurs. 1999 Nov-Dec;20(6):314-7 - PubMed
  3. Nurs Res. 1989 Mar-Apr;38(2):85-7 - PubMed
  4. Neonatal Netw. 1987 Jun;5(6):25-8 - PubMed
  5. Arch Fam Med. 1993 Dec;2(12):1265-7 - PubMed
  6. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000 Jan;48(1):63-6 - PubMed
  7. Surg Radiol Anat. 1988;10(1):71-5 - PubMed
  8. Lancet. 2002 Aug 24;360(9333):603-9 - PubMed
  9. Neonatal Netw. 1994 Dec;13(8):35-40 - PubMed
  10. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1991 Apr;30(4 Suppl):30-3; discussion 34-5 - PubMed
  11. Early Hum Dev. 2001 Aug;64(1):37-43 - PubMed
  12. Heart Lung. 1994 May-Jun;23(3):181-95 - PubMed
  13. Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Jan;20(1):41-4 - PubMed
  14. Nurs Res. 1969 Sep-Oct;18(5):448-50 - PubMed
  15. Lancet. 1986 Feb 8;1(8476):307-10 - PubMed
  16. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1991 Apr;30(4 Suppl):61-4; discussion 71-2 - PubMed
  17. J Sci Med Sport. 1999 Oct;2(3):181-9 - PubMed
  18. Am J Nurs. 1972 Jun;72(6):1090-3 - PubMed
  19. J Gerontol Nurs. 2003 Nov;29(11):26-33 - PubMed
  20. BMJ. 2000 Apr 29;320(7243):1174-8 - PubMed
  21. J Adv Nurs. 1993 Sep;18(9):1451-60 - PubMed
  22. Nurs Res. 1988 May-Jun;37(3):162-4, 189 - PubMed
  23. BMJ. 1992 Apr 11;304(6832):961-3 - PubMed
  24. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1997 May 17;127(20):864-70 - PubMed
  25. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 1997 Oct;13(5):266-72 - PubMed
  26. Am J Crit Care. 1995 Jul;4(4):286-92 - PubMed
  27. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 1993 Dec;9(4):217-25 - PubMed
  28. Pediatr Nurs. 2003 Mar-Apr;29(2):117-25 - PubMed
  29. Anesthesiology. 2002 Oct;97(4):989-1004 - PubMed
  30. J Natl Med Assoc. 1992 Jul;84(7):591-9 - PubMed
  31. J Trauma. 2000 Jan;48(1):49-56; discussion 56-7 - PubMed
  32. Matern Child Nurs J. 1992 Fall-Winter;20(3-4):124-40 - PubMed
  33. Nurs Res. 1974 Nov-Dec;23(6):457-60 - PubMed
  34. Ann Emerg Med. 1996 Sep;28(3):313-7 - PubMed
  35. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986 Mar 15;292(6522):746-50 - PubMed
  36. Crit Care Med. 1993 Oct;21(10):1528-34 - PubMed
  37. Age Ageing. 1972 Nov;1(4):250-4 - PubMed
  38. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1999 Jul-Aug;28(4):389-94 - PubMed
  39. Nurs Res. 1997 Jul-Aug;46(4):202-7 - PubMed
  40. Arch Sex Behav. 1987 Feb;16(1):45-56 - PubMed
  41. J Adv Nurs. 1994 Jul;20(1):77-84 - PubMed
  42. Lippincotts Prim Care Pract. 1997 Mar-Apr;1(1):14-30; quiz 31-2 - PubMed
  43. Emerg Med (Fremantle). 2001 Mar;13(1):116-20 - PubMed
  44. J Pediatr. 1998 Oct;133(4):553-6 - PubMed
  45. Psychophysiology. 1985 Jul;22(4):488-92 - PubMed
  46. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003 Mar 28;52(12):255-6 - PubMed
  47. Nurs Res. 1968 Mar-Apr;17(2):159-61 - PubMed
  48. Neonatal Netw. 1998 Aug;17(5):21-37 - PubMed
  49. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1996;73(3-4):278-86 - PubMed
  50. JAMA. 1997 Aug 6;278(5):399-411 - PubMed
  51. Mo Med. 1990 May;87(5):298-303 - PubMed
  52. Nurs Res. 1968 Jul-Aug;17(4):360-1 - PubMed
  53. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2001 Jul-Aug;2(4):160-5 - PubMed
  54. Am J Crit Care. 1994 Jan;3(1):40-54 - PubMed
  55. Am J Nurs. 1974 Oct;74(10):1859-61 - PubMed

Publication Types