Reading Temperatures: The Clinical Thermometer
In Activity 3.2: Reading a Thermometer, you’ll learn how to use a clinical thermometer. This type of thermometer is used to measure the human body’s temperature.
Objective
To learn how to read a clinical thermometer and understand the temperature scale.
Materials Needed
- A clinical thermometer
Steps to Follow
- Understand the Thermometer: Look at the thermometer. Notice it has a scale marked in degrees Celsius (°C). It also has a bulb at one end containing mercury.
- Preparation: Before using the thermometer, make sure it’s clean. Wash it with an antiseptic solution. Check that the mercury level is below 35°C.
- Reading the Scale: Note the temperature difference between two large marks and count the number of small divisions between them. Each small division can indicate a fraction of a degree.
- Taking Temperature: Shake the thermometer gently to ensure the mercury level is below 35°C. Place the bulb under your tongue and close your mouth. Wait for a minute.
- Reading Your Temperature: Remove the thermometer and read the level of the mercury against the scale. This is your body temperature. Remember, always read the thermometer at eye level and never hold it by the bulb.
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Expected Observations
You’ll likely see a temperature reading between 35°C and 42°C, the normal range for human body temperature. The exact reading may vary slightly from person to person.
Conclusion
In this activity, you learned how to read a clinical thermometer and understand the Celsius temperature scale. You now know that body temperature can vary slightly from the average of 37°C and that it’s important to handle thermometers carefully and clean them before and after use. Remember, clinical thermometers are specifically designed for human bodies and should not be used to measure the temperature of any other objects.
Important Points
- Always wash the thermometer before and after use.
- Ensure the mercury level is below 35°C before taking a reading.
- Read the thermometer at eye level.
- The normal human body temperature is around 37°C but can vary slightly.
- Clinical thermometers are only for measuring human body temperature.
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