Which of the following would be a contraindication for an oral temperature?
Comparative Study Show
Comparison of oral and tympanic temperatures in adult surgical patientsMichele Gilbert et al. Appl Nurs Res. 2002 Feb. AbstractMonitoring patients' temperatures is an important aspect of clinical nursing. In surgical areas, we rely on accurate temperature readings to determine appropriate therapy. Various body sites have been used for temperature measurement: oral, axillary, rectal, and tympanic. Oral temperature readings have long been considered the gold standard. However, oral temperature readings may be contraindicated, depending on surgical incision and level of consciousness or in cases of seizure. Tympanic temperature monitoring is often the next choice. The literature supports the accuracy of tympanic monitoring; however, some clinicians have questioned its accuracy. This study used a repeated-measures design to determine the reproducibility of tympanic and oral temperature measurements. A difference of 0.2 degrees C was considered clinically significant. Outcome data indicated that variability was similar with oral and tympanic temperatures. There was no significant difference between average tympanic and average oral temperatures. Therefore, this study supports the use of tympanic thermometers in addition to oral thermometers in obtaining temperatures. Copyright 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company Similar articles
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FeversYour child may be sick, but not have a fever. Choosing a thermometerDigital thermometers
Ear thermometers (infrared thermometers)
Fever strips / pacifier thermometers / forehead thermometers
Glass thermometers containing mercury
Tips for taking temperature
How to take a temperatureOral temperatureRecommended for anyone older than 4 years of age who can cooperate and understand directions.
Rectal temperatureRecommended for children younger than 4 years of age, anyone who cannot hold a thermometer safely in their mouths or anyone who has a stuffy nose. Do not leave the child alone when taking a rectal temperature. Rectal perforation can occur if the thermometer is not used properly. Check with your doctor’s office before checking a rectal temperature as some doctors prefer that parents use other methods.
Ear temperatureRequires a special thermometer, that should only be used for checking ear temperatures
Infants 6 months to 1 year of age:
Children older than 1 year of age and adults:
Armpit (axillary) temperature
Normal body temperatures vary from person to person.
Body temperature is usually lowest in the morning On which patient would you not perform an oral temperature?Do not take an oral temperature if the person has a stuffy nose. Use the rectum or armpit. Do not smoke or eat/drink anything hot or cold for 10 minutes before taking an oral temperature. When you call the doctor, report the actual reading on the thermometer, and say where the temperature was taken.
What activities may cause an inaccurate oral temperature reading?As mentioned before, food and drinks change oral temperature significantly, thus affecting accuracy. Do not breathe heavily through the mouth prior to taking temperature. Breathing through the mouth may lower the temperature of the mouth tissue, resulting in inaccurate readings.
What question should you ask a patient before taking an oral temperature?What would you ask a patient before measuring their oral temperature? Have you had anything hot or cold, smoked, or chewed gum? How far is a rectal thermometer inserted?
Which temperature method would not preferred route to use on an infant?Mouth. Because a glass thermometer can break if a child bites down on it, this method is not recommended for children younger than 5 years old.
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