![]() Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted. Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care by Glynda Rees Doyle and Jodie Anita McCutcheon, British Columbia Institute of Technology. © 2015 British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Part of this content was adapted from OER #1 (as noted in brackets above): Rectal temperature is not measured in infants under one month of age or premature newborns. The Canadian Pediatric Society (Leduc & Woods, 2017) has referred to research indicating that rectal temperatures may remain elevated after a client’s core temperature has started to return to normal, but after reviewing all available evidence, still recommends measuring rectal temperature for children under the age of two, particularly when accuracy is vital. Some suggest its use only when other methods are not available (OER #1), while others suggest that the rectal route is a gold standard in the infant population because of its accuracy. Measuring rectal temperature is an invasive method. What should the healthcare provider consider? A rectal temperature is 0.5 F (0.3 C) to 1 F (0.6 C) higher than an oral temperature. Generally, the correlation of temperature results are as follows: The average normal oral temperature is 98.6 F (37 C). Lubricate the cover with a water-based lubricant, and then gently insert the probe 2–3 cm inside the rectal opening of an adult, or less depending on the size of the client. Medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between oral, rectal, ear, armpit, and forehead temperature measurements. Remove the probe from the device and place a probe cover (from the box) on the thermometer. With older children and adults, assist them into a side lying position. You can encourage a parent to hold the infant to decrease movement and provide a sense of safety. For infants, lie them down in a supine position and raise their legs up toward the chest. If your child has other signs, such as a cold, cough or diarrhea, you might call your child's doctor sooner based on the severity of the other signs.First, ensure the client’s privacy. Your child is age 6 to 24 months and has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C) that lasts longer than one day but shows no other signs.Your child is age 3 to 6 months and has a temperature up to 102 F (38.9 C) and seems unusually irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable, or has a temperature higher than 102 F (38.9 C).Your child is younger than age 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.In general, contact your child's doctor if: If you're in doubt about an armpit temperature reading, use another method to confirm the results. Keep in mind that an armpit temperature might not be accurate. Has an armpit temperature of 99 F (37.2 C) or higher.Has an oral temperature of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher.Has a rectal, ear or temporal artery temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher.Don't use aspirin to treat a fever in anyone age 18 years or younger. Read the label carefully for proper dosage. If your child is age 6 months or older, ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Motrin, others) is OK, too. Be aware that some combination over-the-counter medications might contain acetaminophen as an ingredient. Never give more acetaminophen than recommended on the label for your child. However, for children younger than age 3 months, don't give acetaminophen until your baby has been seen by a doctor. If you want to give your child medication to treat a fever, stick to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) until age 6 months. When reporting a temperature to your child's doctor, give the reading and explain how the temperature was taken. Remove the thermometer and read the number. Gently sweep the thermometer across your child's forehead. ![]() Hold the thermometer tightly in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Follow the directions that come with the thermometer to ensure you insert the thermometer the proper distance into the ear canal. Gently place the thermometer in your child's ear. Keep the thermometer tightly in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. While the device reads your child's temperature, hug your child, keeping the side holding the thermometer against your chest. When you place the thermometer under your child's armpit, make sure it touches skin - not clothing. If your child has been eating or drinking, wait 15 minutes to take his or her temperature by mouth. Remove the thermometer when it signals that it's done and read the number. Place the tip of the thermometer under your child's tongue toward the back of the mouth and ask your child to keep his or her lips closed. Hold the thermometer in place until the thermometer signals that it's done. Never try to force a rectal thermometer past any resistance.
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