Recording and documenting body temperature

Care should be taken to ensure that temperature measurement is recorded accurately to provide a clear picture of the client’s condition over time.

If done correctly it enables us to see at a glance any change in the client’s condition and helps us determine whether or not interventions are being effective, as can be seen in Figure 9.3. If you use an alternative route to the one commonly used in the environment of care it is important that this is recorded on the chart as this may account for any apparent variation, as can be seen on 12/11/02 at 10.00 hrs.

Figure 9.3 Client’s temperature chart