Temperature Questions and Answers

Temperature Questions and Answers What is the oral temperature range? 36.5-37.5 degrees C (97.7-99.5 degrees F) What is the tympanic temperature range? 36.8-37.8 degrees C (98.2-100 degrees F) What is the temporal temperature range? 37.1-38.1 degrees C (98.7-100.5 degrees F) What is the rectal temperature range? 37.1-38.1 degrees C (98.7-100.5 degrees F) What is the axillary temperature range? 35.9-36.9 degrees C (96.7-98.5 degrees F) Which patients should you not take an oral temperature on? Pts with oral cavity diseases, in those who have had surgery of the nose and mouth, or when there is a risk of seizures. Why should you not take patients receiving oxygen via a mask temperature orally? What should you do when taking the temperature of a patient who has an earache? Do not take the pt's temperature using a tympanic thermometer in the affected ear. Assess the pt for scarring of the tympanic membrane and/or ear drainage, as these conditions can cause inaccurate results and result in problems for the pt. What patients should the rectal temperature not be taken? neonates (newborns), children with diarrhea, pts who have undergone rectal surgery, or have a disease of the rectum. Why should you not insert a rectal thermometer in a patient with a low platelet count? The thermometer may cause rectal bleeding, as the rectum is very vascular. What could happen in patients with heart disease or who have had cardiac surgery when they are assessed with a rectal thermometer? The heart rate (HR) may slow down by stimulating the vagus nerve from the insertion of the rectal thermometer. True or False: The axillary temperature is more accurate than the temporal artery temperature reading measurements. False. The temporal artery temperature reading measurement is more accurate than the axillary temperature reading. Which patients should you wait 15-30 minutes before taking an oral temperature? When should bulb-type glass thermometers not be used? Why? They should not be used in unconscious/irrational pts, young children, and infants. The glass could break. True or False: core body temperature is higher than surface body temperature True True or False: Body temperature is highest in the early morning and lower in the late afternoon. False. The body temperature is lowest in the early morning and higher during the late afternoon. The rectal temperature is contraindicated in which patients? Pts who are neutropenic (low blood count) and pts with certain neurologic disorders (ex. spinal cord injury). When should you wait 15-30 minutes to take an axillary temperature? When a pt's axillary area has been washed recently. How long should you leave a pacifier thermometer in place? What area is it placed in? What do you do if a patient feels light-headed or passes out during a rectal temperature reading? Remove the thermometer immediately. Assess the pt's BP (blood pressure) and HR (heart rate). Notify the healthcare provider. Do not take another rectal temperature reading.