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How To

Take An
Oral
Temperatu
re

How To Take An Oral Temperature


What is it?
An oral temperature (TEM-per-ah-chur) is when the mouth is used to take your
temperature. A temperature measures body heat. A thermometer (ther-MOM-uh-ter) is
used to take your temperature in your mouth. A person should be 5 years or older to
have a temperature taken in the mouth.

Why do I need to check an oral temperature?


You may need to check an oral temperature to learn if you or a family member has a
fever. "Fever" is a word used for a temperature that is higher than normal for the body.
Fever is usually a sign of illness, infection, or other conditions. The normal oral
temperature for adults is about 98.6 F (37 C). The normal oral temperature for a child
is between 97.6 and 99.3 F (36.4 and 37.4 C). The normal oral temperature for older
persons is 98.2 F (36.8 C). Body temperature changes slightly through the day and
night, and may change based on your activity.

What kind of thermometer is used to take an oral


temperature?

A digital thermometer is used to take an oral temperature. It is a small hand-held


device with a "window" showing your temperature in numbers. There are many
kinds of digital thermometers. Most digital thermometers are easy to use and
measure body temperature within seconds. Carefully read the instructions before
using your digital thermometer. Digital thermometers can be bought at grocery,
drug, or medical supply stores.

Glass thermometers with alcohol inside may also be used for oral temperatures.
This thermometer is a thin glass tube with a red or blue line inside it. These
thermometers are safe to use for people over the age of 5. A child younger than
5 may bite the thermometer, breaking it in their mouth. Glass thermometers with
galinstan (GAL-in-stan) may also be used to check an oral temperature.
Galinstan thermometers have a silver-colored line, but will be marked "mercuryfree" when you buy one. Alcohol-filled and galinstan glass thermometers are
harder to find in regular grocery stores.

In the past, mercury (MER-kure-e) thermometers were used. This thermometer


is a thin glass tube with a silver tip and line inside. The silver tip and line is
mercury. Mercury is a toxic and hazardous chemical. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and
other organizations warn against using mercury thermometers. If the
thermometer breaks, the mercury may be breathed in or absorbed (soaked) into
your skin. If a glass thermometer breaks while checking an oral temperature, the

mercury may be swallowed. Mercury is bad for your health, as well as for the
water, wildlife, and waste systems on earth.

If you have a mercury thermometer, replace it with a digital thermometer. You


may also replace it with a glass thermometer having alcohol or galinstan instead
of mercury in it. If your mercury thermometer breaks, do not touch the
thermometer or the mercury. Do not try to clean up the spill. Open your
windows to air out the area. Take children and pets out of the area right away.
Contact the following:

24-Hour Nationwide Poison Control Hotline


National Capital Poison Center
3201 New Mexico Avenue, Suite 310
Washington , DC 20016
Phone: 1- 800 - 222-1222
Web Address: http://www.poison.org

How do I use a digital thermometer?


There should not be anything hot or cold in your mouth for 10 minutes before taking
your temperature.

Take the thermometer out of its holder.

Put the tip into a new throw-away plastic cover if one is available. If you do not
have a cover, clean the pointed end (probe) with soap and warm water or
rubbing alcohol. Rinse it with cool water.

With your mouth open, put the covered tip under your tongue.

Close your lips gently around the thermometer.

Keep the thermometer under your tongue until the digital thermometer beeps.

Remove the thermometer when numbers show up in the "window".

Read the numbers in the window. These numbers are your temperature.

Your caregiver may want you to keep a temperature record. Write down the time
and your temperature each time you take it.

Remove or eject the throw-away cover if you used one.

Place the thermometer back in its holder.

How do I use a glass thermometer?


There should not be anything hot or cold in your mouth for 10 minutes before taking a
temperature.

Take the thermometer out of its holder.

Hold the thermometer by the end opposite the colored (red, blue, or silver) tip.

Clean the thermometer with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol. Rinse with
cool water.

Turn the thermometer in your hand until you see the red, blue, or silver line. The
line should read less than 96 F (35.6 C). If the line reads more than 96 F
(35.6 C), firmly shake the thermometer downward several times. Shake the
thermometer over a couch or bed. This will keep it from breaking if it slips out
of your hand.

Check the thermometer again to make sure it reads less than 96F (35.6C).

With your mouth open, put the end with the red, blue, or silver-colored tip under
your tongue.

Close your lips gently around the thermometer. Do not bite the glass
thermometer.

Keep the thermometer under your tongue for 3 minutes.

Remove the thermometer without touching the tip.

Gently wipe the thermometer with a tissue.

Hold the thermometer at eye level.

Slowly turn the thermometer until you see the red, blue, or silver-colored line.
Each long mark on the thermometer is the same as 1 degree. Short marks are the
same as 0.2 degree.

Your caregiver may want you to keep a temperature record. Write down the time
and your temperature each time you take it.

Wash the thermometer with soap and warm water. Do not use hot water because
it may break the thermometer.

Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn how to
take an oral temperature. You can then discuss your treatment options with your
caregiver. You can work with your caregiver to decide what care will be used to treat
you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
Copyright 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's
use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice
for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before
following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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