Measuring Temperature
Measuring an oral temperature
• I am going to take your temperature.
• I would like to take you temperature.
• Have you recently had hot or cold fluids? (If the answer is yes, wait 10 minutes before taking an oral temperature)
• Have you been smoking? (If the answer is yes, wait 10 minutes before taking an oral temperature)
• Open your mouth, please.
• I will put the thermometer under your tongue. (Gently put the bulb end in the patient’s mouth under the tongue )
• Please keep your mouth and lips closed.
• Close your mouth for 3 minutes or so.
• There ..now your temperature is normal.
Measuring rectal temperature
• I am going to take your temperature by rectum. (Lower the backrest on the bed, if allowed. Put on gloves. Put a small amount of lubricating jelly on a piece of tissue. Then lubricate the bulb of the thermometer with the lubricated tissue)