Final answer:
To measure a patient's general body temperature, the back of the hand should be placed on the abdomen, where temperature abnormalities can indicate medical conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assess a patient's general body temperature, it is suggested to place the back of your hand on their skin at the abdomen. This method of assessing temperature is based on the understanding that body temperature regulation involves negative feedback mechanisms and that changes in body temperature may be indicative of disease.
An average normal body temperature is usually given as 37.0°C (98.6°F), and variations can signify various conditions like infections or circulatory problems. When checking for abnormal body temperature, healthcare providers might consider abnormal temperature distributions indicated by infrared thermography, as certain areas show color-coded temperature variations reflecting potential medical issues such as hyperhidrosis or malignancies like cancerous tumors.