Assessing a child with fever
Immediate assessment of a child with fever should always include assessment of lifethreatening issues such as impeding airway, breathing and circulation, and any altered level of consciousness including disability, history of presenting complaint and past history (Emergency Triage Education Kit 2009). When taking a temperature, the following recommended methods are suggested:
• electronically under the axilla for children under 4 weeks of age;
• electronic/chemical dot/infra-red for children over 4 weeks to 5 years;
• under the tongue for older children as appropriate;
• tympanic for children of all ages though has increased risk of inaccuracy;
• disposable thermometers should only be used;
• forehead thermometers are unreliable and should not be used (NICE 2007, RCH Fact Sheet 2007).