What are a few significant differences between laboratory thermometers and clinical thermometers?
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These days, most clinical thermometer (body temperature) measurements are digital, but the glass-and-mercury kind that you have to shake before measuring are still widely used. The shaking is often necessary to keep the mercury from sticking high up in the tube after a previous measurement.
Clinical thermometers have a kink but laboratory thermometers have a wide range
To identify the significant differences between laboratory thermometers and clinical thermometers, we can consider their purpose, design, measurement range, accuracy, and calibration. Here's how you can understand these differences:
1. Purpose:
- Laboratory Thermometers: These thermometers are designed primarily for scientific research and experimentation in laboratories. They are used to measure temperature in various scientific processes and experiments.
- Clinical Thermometers: Clinical thermometers are specifically designed for measuring body temperature in medical settings. They are used by healthcare professionals to diagnose and monitor patients' health.
2. Design:
- Laboratory Thermometers: Laboratory thermometers come in various designs, including mercury-filled, alcohol-filled, or digital thermometers. They often have elongated stems to reach the depths of containers or vessels.
- Clinical Thermometers: Clinical thermometers are usually compact and designed for ease of use. They can be found in various forms, such as digital thermometers, infrared thermometers, or disposable thermometers.
3. Measurement Range:
- Laboratory Thermometers: Laboratory thermometers have a wider measurement range to cater to diverse scientific applications. They are designed to measure a broad range of temperatures, including extreme heat or cold.
- Clinical Thermometers: Clinical thermometers are specifically calibrated to measure the human body temperature. Their measurement range is narrower, typically between 35°C to 42°C (95°F to 107.6°F).
4. Accuracy:
- Laboratory Thermometers: Laboratory thermometers require high accuracy to ensure precise measurements in scientific experiments. They often have stricter accuracy requirements compared to clinical thermometers.
- Clinical Thermometers: Clinical thermometers also need to be accurate but typically have slightly lower precision requirements than laboratory thermometers. The accuracy is sufficient for detecting body temperature variations in medical settings.
5. Calibration:
- Laboratory Thermometers: Laboratory thermometers are calibrated regularly using standardized reference points, such as the ice point (0°C/32°F) and boiling point of water (100°C/212°F). This ensures accuracy and traceability in scientific experiments.
- Clinical Thermometers: Clinical thermometers, especially digital ones, may need occasional calibration, but they often come pre-calibrated and do not require frequent adjustments. This allows for easy and reliable temperature readings for medical purposes.
By considering these factors, we can identify the key differences between laboratory thermometers and clinical thermometers, including their intended usage, design, measurement range, accuracy, and calibration practices.