thermometer

[ther-mom´ĕ-ter]

an instrument for determining temperatures, in principle making use of a substance (such as alcohol or mercury) with a physical property that varies with temperature and is susceptible of measurement on some defined scale.

Temperatures on Celsius and Fahrenheit thermometers related to temperature ranges. From Elkin et al., 2000.

axilla thermometer a clinical thermometer that is placed in the axilla.

Celsius thermometer one that uses the Celsius scale.

centigrade thermometer one having the interval between two established reference points divided into 100 equal units, such as the Celsius thermometer.

clinical thermometer one used to determine the temperature of the human body.

electronic thermometer a clinical thermometer that uses a sensor based on thermistors, solid-state electronic devices whose electrical characteristics change with temperature. The reading is recorded within seconds, some having a red light or other device to indicate when maximum temperature is reached. Available models include hand-held, desk-top, and wall-mounted units, all having probes that are inserted orally or rectally.

Fahrenheit thermometer one that uses the Fahrenheit scale.

Kelvin thermometer one that uses the Kelvin scale.

oral thermometer a clinical thermometer whose mercury containing bulb is placed under the tongue.

recording thermometer a temperature-sensitive instrument by which the temperature to which it is exposed is continuously recorded.

rectal thermometer a clinical thermometer that is inserted in the rectum.

resistance thermometer one that uses the electric resistance of metals (thermocouple) to determine temperature.

self-registering thermometer

1. recording thermometer.

2. one that registers the maximum or minimum temperature attained in the measurement.

tympanic thermometer an electronic clinical thermometer that gives a digital reading in less than two seconds. Second-generation tympanic thermometers work by monitoring the temperature when the ear opening is sealed.

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References in periodicals archive

Temperatures from oral electronic thermometers were compared to core body temperatures in 7 total samples.

Selection of the Most Accurate Thermometer Devices for Clinical Practice: Part 1: Meta-Analysis of the Accuracy of Non-Core Thermometer Devices Compared to Core Body Temperature

Because of late installation of electronic thermometers or their loss or failure, fewer data (ca.

Summer use of coolwater tributaries of a geothermally heated stream by rainbow and brown trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salmo trutta

Depending upon the mode selected, electronic thermometers yield results in a few seconds and up to 80 seconds (Barringer et al., 2011; Fadzil et al., 2010; Khorshid, Eser, Zaybak, & Yapucu, 2005), while chemical thermometers require 3 to 5 minutes or more to register an axillary temperature (Martin & Kline, 2004).

Selection of the Most Accurate Thermometer Devices for Clinical Practice: Part 2: Nursing Practice and Policy Change in the Use of Non-Core Thermometer Devices

Nondisposable oral electronic thermometer (reference standard): Sure Temp Plus electronic thermometer (Welch Allyn, Skaneateles Fall, NY).

Evaluation of temporal artery and disposable digital oral thermometers in acutely ill patients

Acceptable bias and precision values found in this study are similar to a number of well-controlled prior studies which compared the temporal artery thermometer to core temperature measures (pulmonary artery or bladder catheter thermistors) (Calonder et al., 2010; Langham et al., 2009; Lawson et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2011; Siberry, Diener-West, Schappell, & Karron, 2002) or oral electronic thermometers (Barringer et al., 2011; Fountain et al., 2008; Frommelt et al., 2008).

Reliability of temporal artery thermometers

The inaccuracy of axillary temperatures measured with an electronic thermometer. American Journal of Diseases of Children, 144(1), 109-111.

Evaluation of a new, wearable, precision phase-change thermometer in neonates

Mean difference values were based on clinical judgment and experts' opinion (Erickson & Meyers, 1994; Giuliano et al., 1999; Lawson et al., 2007) that differences between the test temperature device (temporal artery thermometer) and the reference temperature (oral electronic thermometer) of greater than 0.6[degrees]F would limit the clinical utility of that device for temperature measurement and clinical decision-making surrounding temperature management in hospitalized patients.

Accuracy and precision of temporal artery thermometers in febrile patients

What is the extent of agreement between the RT readings taken with an electronic thermometer and the ear-based temperatures taken with the ITT (as measured by the upper and lower limits of the differences)?

Accuracy of Tympanic Temperature Readings in Children Under 6 Years of Age

Limiting use of these devices to clinical situations where oral electronic thermometers cannot be used (for example, isolation) would be prudent.

Accuracy of different devices to measure temperature

The ongoing evolution of personal care devices was, perhaps, most apparent in the newest electronic thermometer from the Norelco Consumer Products Co.

Housewares merges with health care at drug chains

In order to evaluate Clinitemp II forehead skin-based temperature strips, Martyn, Urbano, Hayes, and Von Windeguth (1988) used an IVAC (821) electronic thermometer to measure axillary and rectal temperature in 70 children between 1 and 5 years of age.

The Falling Grace of Axillary Temperatures

Using an electronic thermometer, over 50% of children with a fever were missed when checked by an axillary temperature.

Axillary temps