Were you ever denied an oral temperature?

Has anyone ever requested an oral temperature right when your rectal temperature was about to be taken at the doctor’s office? If so was your request denied and if it was denied what reason was given. One time at my doctor’s office when I was about 11 or 12, the nurse was about to take my temperature rectally and I asked her to take it orally. At that age I hated rectal temperatures and felt that I was too old for them. The nurse said she couldn’t take it orally because the doctor wanted her to take it rectally. My mom told her that it was perfectly safe to take my temperature orally because we did it that way at home. I immediately felt relieved thinking the nurse would accept my mom’s approval but that didn’t happen. The nurse politely explained to my mom that she was actually not permitted to take my temperature orally because I was underage according to the doctor’s policy, and that she was required to take rectal temperatures for all patients under 13 with no exceptions. She told my mom that a lot kids there often requested oral temperatures but none of the nurses could bend the rules. She was very warm and friendly and even apologized for being unaccommodating. My mom asked her why the doctor was so strict about it and she said it was a standard safety precaution. The nurse then assured me that taking my temperature rectally would only take a few minutes and would cause no discomfort. I’m curious to hear if anyone has had similar experiences.

I once requested to take my temperature orally around 15 years old. She just smiled and said the doctor wants it taken the other way. I saw that I was never going to change that policy, so it was rectal at the office and at home until I was 18.

@Antonx, , it’s unfortunate your Mother didn’t either stop your exam and leave or demand to confront the doctor.

@fontana, Why was it until you were 18 at home?

As for your doctor- hard to say if your parents/guardians agreed with his/, her temperature taking protocol. I know, my Mother was in “ awe” of doctors. She meant well, but, not always the right mindset.

@OverRainbow My parents always followed what the doctor told them.

I guess I was fortunate. After the age of 5, I was never forced to accept a rectal temperature, at home, or otherwise. I was never hospitalized as a child or teen, and my pediatrician didn’t have a nursing staff, and he never took my temperature rectally. I knew other people who weren’t as lucky. The only time that some of them had an oral temperature taken, was by the school nurse. To protest at home, fell on deaf ears. Some of their moms were old school, or from Europe. I wouldn’t doubt that rectal temps survived for generations in those families.

Thank God parents are now more involved with their childrens’ health issues and won’t simply go along with everything a doctor says or wants.

@OverRainbow I’ve always wondered why my mom didn’t think it was inappropriate that my temperature was still being taken rectally at the age of 12. I know things were different back in the 1980’s but my mom was well aware that rectal temperatures were traumatic for me. Although she discontinued the rectal method at home when I was around 8 she still forced me to comply at the doctor’s office for some strange reason. I once asked her why my temperature was still being taken rectally and she just told me to stop making such a big deal out of it. She also saw my aversion to rectal temps as being rebellious. For many years I was very resentful towards her for her insensitivity but I guess she just didn’t know any better. Although I felt that having thermometers stuck up my butt by women was very sexual I’m sure my mom had never even considered that.

This was the policy at my doctor as well. Rectal until 13 years old for safety. I‘m sure I must’ve asked for oral once and got denied as a smaller child because I knew the policy. But don’t remember specifically.

I grew up in South Dakota, I turned 13 in 1971. All temps at the doctor were rectal till age 13 when the nurse asked your parent how they wanted it taken. Mom told the nurse to take it however I wanted it done. I never minded rectal temps so I told the nurse rectal was fine. They didn't keep oral thermometers in the exam room. The glass holder in the exam room only had rectal thermometers. I recall my brother asking for oral when he was 14 and the nurse having to get one from somewhere else. As I said I never minded rectal but my brother could not wait to go oral.

While technically I wasn't denied an oral temperature, I remember bring sick when I was about 11 or 12 and my oral temperature was taken and it was considered too low. When I was told turn over on my belly because I was going to get my rectal temperature taken, I remember protesting, saying I was too old to get it that way. Needless to say, I wound up complying and rolling over for the thermometer in spite of my objections. When it was over, it was announced I did have a fever and that is why my temperature needed to be taken rectally.

I always asked for it orally. My nurse told me she could never get a reading from me that way. By the time I was 13, I asked again & she told me I knew the drill & to get ready.