Comparison of Pulmonary Artery, Tympanic, Oral, and Axillary Temperatures

Author

Linda Oravec Walter, Grand Valley State University

Date Approved

1997

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Nursing (M.S.N.)

Degree Program

College of Nursing

Abstract

Hypothermia depresses the myocardium and shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the left. Accurate tem perature monitoring Is essential. Studies conflict regarding the accuracy of sites other than the pulmonary artery (the gold standard) In temperature measurement of intubated patients. Using Roy’s Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework, repeated measures analysis of variance found a significant difference between the pulmonary artery, tympanic, oral, and axillary temperatures when taken within 15 minutes of arriving to the cardiothoracic unit and then hourly for four hours after open heart surgery. Post hoc t-test showed significant differences during rapid temperature changes. When temperatures were stable tympanic and oral measurements were not statistically different from the pulmonary artery temperature. Except for immediately post-operative, axillary temperatures were statistically different from the pulmonary artery temperatures.

Comments

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ScholarWorks Citation

Walter, Linda Oravec, "Comparison of Pulmonary Artery, Tympanic, Oral, and Axillary Temperatures" (1997). Masters Theses. 429.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/429