When an Oral Temperature Should Be Taken

1. The patient is conscious and can follow directions, especially the direction "don't bite down."

(a) If a patient "bites down" on a glass thermometer, he could break the thermometer. A broken glass thermometer could cut the patient's mouth and lips. In addition, he could swallow broken glass and mercury.

(b) If a patient "bites down" on an electric thermometer probe, he could damage the probe, and he could be injured by the damaged probe.

2. Make sure the patient can breath through his nose. (The patient must be able to breathe through his nose, since he must keep his mouth closed while the oral temperature is being taken.)

3. There is no condition present to which make it undesirable to take the patient's temperature orally.

When an Oral Temperature Should Not Be Taken

1. The patient has recently had facial or oral surgery. (The patient may not be able to adequately control his bite.)

2. The patient is a child under 5 years of age. (An infant or very young child should not be expected to follow a "don't bite down" order.)

3. The patient is confused, disturbed, heavily sedated, or has some condition (coughing, shaking chills, etc.) that makes it likely he might bite down on the thermometer.

4. The patient is being administered oxygen by mouth or by nose.

5. The patient has smoked, eaten hot or cold food, drank hot or cold beverage, or chewed gum within the last 30 minutes. (Hot smoke, hot foods, hot drinks, and vigorous chewing will probably result in an oral temperature reading that is higher than the actual oral temperature. Cold foods and cold drinks will probably cause the oral temperature reading to be lower than the actual oral temperature.)

Taking an Oral Temperature: Glass Thermometer

1. Wash Hands. Perform a patient care hand wash.

2. Gather Materials. You will need to assemble the following items:

( 1) Glass oral thermometer(s). You will normally obtain a tray of clean (unused) thermometers, especially if you are going to take more than one patient's temperature. Figure shows a typical tray. (The term "tray" is used to mean all equipment and supplies carried in the tray as well as the actual tray.) The tray shown consists of a rectangular metal tray (8 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2 inches deep), a metal container labeled "clean" holding several unused oral thermometers, and a metal container labeled "used" filled two-thirds full with water. Sometimes, the second container is labeled "dirty" instead of "used."

Figure. A thermometer tray.

(2) Gauze pads. You will need at least one gauze pad, usually the 2-inch by 2-inch size, for each oral temperature to be taken.

(3) Time piece. You will need a watch or clock to measure the time that the patient has had the thermometer in his mouth. A clock or watch with a second hand is preferred since a second hand is needed when measuring the patient's pulse and breathing rates.

(4) Writing materials. You will need a pencil or pen and something on which to write the patient's temperature reading. A note pad or a sheet of paper is usually sufficient. If you are to write the patient's temperature on a form, you will be told what from to use.