A rectal thermometer is the most accurate way to take a temperature.
To take a rectal temperature:
Apply a lubricant jelly or petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, on
the bulb of the thermometer, so that you can insert it easily.
Choose a quiet place so that the child won't be
distracted or move around too much. When measuring the temperature of babies or small
children:
Place your child faceup with legs bent toward the chest with your hand on the back of the thighs or holding the feet as if you were changing a diaper.
Place the child facedown on your lap or on a flat covered or padded
surface, such as a bed.
Gently insert the bulb end of the rectal thermometer about
0.6 in. (1.5 cm) to
1 in. (2.5 cm) into the anal
canal. Don't force it into the rectum. Hold the
thermometer in place with two fingers close to the anal opening (not near the
end of the thermometer).
Leave the thermometer in place for the
required amount of time, usually a minute. Some digital thermometers give a
series of short beeps when the reading is done. Time yourself with a watch or
clock.
Remove the thermometer and read it.
Clean a digital thermometer with cool, soapy water, and
rinse it off before putting it away.
After a thermometer has been
used to take a rectal temperature, do not use it to take an oral
temperature.
ByHealthwise Staff Primary Medical ReviewerSusan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics David Messenger, MD
Medical Review:
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & David Messenger, MD
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