英文摘要 |
This study was performed to compare the measurements of tympanic temperature, conventional rectal and axillary temperatures with the measurement of pulmonary artery (PA) temperature. The study also investigated the effect of ice pillows on the measurement of tympanic temperature. Thirty-two critical patients requiring PA pressure monitoring were enrolled. Axillary, rectal and tympanic temperatures were recorded sequentially every 4 to 8 hours. PA temperatures were recorded through a PA catheter after completion of the above three kinds of temperature measurement. The means of difference between PA temperature and other temperatures checked were 0.1 ± 0.4 °C for tympanic, 0.4 ± 0.4°C for rectal, and 0.8 ± 0.4°C for axillary temperature. There was significant correlation between PA temperature and all three other temperatures (r = 0.94 between PA and tympanic, r = 0.94 between PA and rectal, and r = 0.92 between PA and axillary temperature). There was no significant discrepancy between the differences of PA and tympanic temperatures in patients with or without use of ice pillows. In conclusion, the measurement of tympanic temperature may reflect core temperature more accurately than conventional methods. It is noninvasive, easy to use, and can effect rapid measurements (a few seconds). It can effectively reduce nursing time, so that its extensive application in clinical nursing is warranted. |