\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Disinfecting a thermometer is a necessary task so that you dont end up spreading germs everywhere and making others prone to illness. But armpit temperatures are typically less accurate than oral temperatures. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. Get two and label which is used where. Leaving the mouth open creates temperature inconsistencies which may give you inaccurate information. Ear thermometers Visualize seating the distal end of the probe in the heat pocket that is between the tongues frenulum and jaw. Wait about one minute. Not every type works the same way or is designed to provide the same temperature readings. Whether you are holding the thermometer in place or not, the patient may cough or sneeze after all, you are taking a temperature because you suspect they are ill. Normal stools vary in shades of brown, mostly due to your diet. Required fields are marked *. Still, there are many different ways to take your temperature with a digital thermometer. Temporal artery thermometers also use infrared technology to measure the temperature of the temporal artery across the front and side of the forehead 2. Using a cotton ball or pad soaked in rubbing alcohol, or an alcohol or bleach wipe, wipe down the thermometer's probe or sensor. To get the most accurate reading, wait 15 minutes before taking the persons temperature if theyve been eating or drinking. A digital thermometer can be used in your armpit, if necessary. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. It is where you need to know. Rubbing alcohol is an ideal cleaning agent as kills any bacteria that may be on the device. Wipe off the alcohol using a cotton ball dipped in clean water. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. take the proper amount of a liquid/ gel sanitizer on a cotton ball and rub it all over the thermometer. Tympanic thermometer readings are typically 0.5F (0.3C) to 1F (0.6C) higher than oral temperature readings. I prefer not to let the patient hold or remove the thermometer on their own. Follow these guidelines for taking the temperature of adults and children over age five accurately using an oral thermometer. Specifications. Once you have cleaned all the food particles off the This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Instruct the patient to keep their mouth closed until the thermometer beeps or blinks, indicating the temperature. It might appear to be Dip the cotton ball or pad in alcohol and squeeze out some of the excess or use an alcohol wipe. contact with the digital part. Gently place it in your ear canal no further than indicated by the instructions that came with the device. should be cleaning the thermometer. All rights reserved. That way, you will ensure you do not end up (2018). Don't use hot water, as you could rupture the thermometer. Try not to shake the thermometer as you pull it out, as this could affect the reading. Todays plastic digital thermometers have only one type of tip. Failure to follow. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree from the University of Idaho. If youre a parent, you may be wondering why were omitting forehead strip thermometers from this roundup. Thus, it is prone to get germs and bacteria. Your email address will not be published. He is also a three-time Jesse H. Neal award winner, the most prestigious award in specialized journalism,and the 2018 and 2020 Eddie Award winner for best Column/Blog. View our Terms of Service However, oral and forehead readings are also typically very reliable in these age groups. The thermometer should only be used under the supervision of an adult. Take a kitchen sponge, apply soap, and use it to lather the stem area of the Before storing, make sure you have cleaned it and that it is This method is useful for quickly and easily determining whether a baby or young child has a fever. Batteries in thermometers should be replaced periodically. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Some people prefer doing both for double safety assurance. Take the hearing aid out of your ear. Enter https://www.ems1.com/ and click OK. Although you probably only take your temperature when you're not feeling well, it may also be helpful to take it on a regular basis. Take the average of the two temperatures. dry. Once done with cleaning your thermometer, you will need to (2018). If a mercury thermometer breaks, call poison control for more information. Mercury thermometers were once the only option available for taking temperature. If you are thinking of wiping it off, use a paper towel. Record your temperature. In order to get an accurate reading from oral use, the tip of the device must be placed under the tongue with the mouth completely closed. You should also see a doctor if you or a child has any of the following symptoms along with the fever, which could indicate a serious health problem like pneumonia or meningitis: A fever will usually go away on its own after one to three days. For digital thermometers, turn it on and ensure it displays. . Ear 908-598-6690, To make an appointment with one of our health care providers, please call 1-800-247-9580 orvisit our Find a Doctor service >. The 7 Best Stethoscopes for 2023: Which One Is Right for You? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Forehead or ear temperature measurement cannot replace rectal measurements, except for screening purposes. A small 2014 study of 100 adult patients in an emergency department also found that for 47 patients who had fevers, 57% of the fevers were recorded by an oral thermometer but not by a forehead thermometer. They are used for sterilizing baby feeding bottles or thermometers. But armpit temperatures are typically less accurate than oral temperatures. Place it under the tongue. Updated June 26, 2018. Cover the tip of a sanitized digital thermometer in petroleum jelly. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, The different types of medical thermometers. 4. Connect with Greg on Twitter or LinkedIn and submit an article idea or ask questions with this form. Accessed March 19, 2020. Once you have made sure you there are no food particles on Don't use the same thermometer for both oral and rectal temperatures. Pale or clay-colored stools are not normal. Go ahead and tell them. Rinse it thoroughly under running water to get rid of any soap residue. But if a patient demands to holdthe thermometer, they might be able to position it as well or better and its not likely worth conflict. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. It's usually lower in the morning and highest in the late afternoon and evening. Cover the thermometer probe with a disposable probe cover without touching or handling the probe. Keep in mind that young children and infants may not exhibit these symptoms. Turn on the digital thermometer. However, it is important to keep these thermometers sanitary and clean them regularly to ensure accuracy and prevent . He is an educator, author, national registry paramedic since 2005, and a long-distance runner. 2022 Thismomwonders.com All Rights Reserved. Remove the thermometer and read the number. Check theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention websitefor additional updates on COVID-19. Forehead temperature readings run around 1F (0.6C) cooler than oral temperature readings. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, How to use dr. brown's microwave sterilizer, How to Clean or De-scale a Bottle Sterilizer, Instructions for a Munchkin Microwave Sterilizer, Dry Heaving in Infants With Reflux After Eating, How to Descale the Avent Steam Sterilizer. Rectal thermometer readings will be around 0.5F (0.3C) to 1F (0.6C) higher than oral temperature readings. Forehead thermometers must be positioned accurately and according to the manufacturers instructions, or they will not provide the right reading. Turn on the thermometer and place the tip under your tongue toward the back of your mouth. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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