Question

State the similarities and differences between the laboratory thermometer and the clinical thermometer

Answer 1

• Similarities between laboratory thermometer and the clinical thermometer:

1. Both clinical and laboratory thermometers have long, narrow and uniform glass tubes.
2. Bulbs contain mercury.
3. Both have Celsius scale.

• Differences:

1. Laboratory thermometer:

1. Laboratory thermometer is generally scaled from -10°C to 11 CPC.
2. Mercury level falls on its own as no kink is present.
3. Temperature is read while keeping the thermometer in the source of temperature, e.g. a liquid or any other thing.
4. No need to give jerk to lower the mercury level.
5. It is used to take temperature in laboratory.

2. Clinical thermometer:

1. Clinical thermometer is scaled from 35°C to 42°C or from 94°F to 108°F.
2. Mercury level does not fall on its own, as there is a kink near the bulb to prevent the fall of mercury level.
3. Temperature can be read after removing the thermometer from armpit or mouth.
4. To lower the mercury level jerks are given.
5. It is used for taking the body temperature