Are rectal temps ever taken in a real clinical setting?

Ok before i begin i know im going to get some flank from certain people on the board but it wasn't like i did what i did just for that reason

ok today i found out my old dr is no longer pratcing so since i had to find a new one i decided to conduct a test i pikced 10 internal medicine docs and 10 family docs i called each office as a new patient wanting to schedule a checkup which i am due for and asked the nurse at every office if a rectal temp could be done because of a bag gag reflax and patient comfort out of the 10 family docs 7 said no 3 yes and of the internal emdicine docs 5 yes 5 no a few asked why etc i explained once again a bad gag reflex and my preference 2 docs told methey would do rectal only to confirm a fever i made sure to ask for the nurse not the office girl when asking

While I can certainly appreciate this type of "research", I think the person that you spoke with at each office probably thought you were a bit crazy for asking such a thing. They probably recorded your phone number using caller ID and now have your number prominently taped up next to the phone. If you ever show up at one of these offices to see a doctor, they'll know that you're the one that called and asked the creepy questions.

That said, I'd love to go into an office and actually have the nerve to request a rectal temp. I doubt they'd do it, but it would be fun to try.

Thanks for your opinion but i can assure you my number was not able to be recorded

Interesting research, but your gag reflex story won't work if they have either the tympanic or temporal artery thermometer. You need to find another older doctor who still believes the old ways are the best, or a small office or even free clinic where they can't afford the latest technological gadgets. Also, a GP would be more likely than an internist to possibly have a rectal thermometer since GP's see kids. Another idea is to visit various offices and look at what thermometers they are using.

Rectal temperatures are taken when glass thermometers are used to take temperatures of patient possessing characteristics might interefere with taking an oral temperature. In particular, a youngster regarded as less functional intellectually and/or emotionally, or is immature that might be considered a risk for a mishap with a thermometer placed in his mouth for three minutes or longer should be required to submit to getting his temperature taken rectally for the long term. Generally speaking, a youngster at age five or six years old should be required to have his temperature taken rectally because a youngster at that age by default is not capable of holding a glass thermometer in his mouth responsibly. A youngster older than a specified mandatory age for a rectal temperature that is considered unfit for an oral temperature also must also, in his best interest, is rendered to have his temperature taken rectally without his consent or approval.

Obviously such a youngster may not want to be viewed by his peers that have "graduated" to a oral temperatures at being "held back" to younger ones that are required to have their temperatures taken rectally and may object to it. Such objections are summarily dismissed . Other than cooperating to the point where he is lying face down on the examination table, nothing is required of him but to remain passive while his rear end is unmasked and his temperature is being taken. The medical staff member may find taking that youngster's temperature rectally a very rewarding experience and have a sense of satisifaction at having achieved it against the patient's wishes. Other than safety reasons, the patient also benefites from having his temperature rectally in that feeling the entry of the glass rectal thermometer and then feeling it being securely lodged in his rear end by his tight anal opening and pliable rectal interior, is a lot more comfortable that an oral thermometer poking the back underside of his tongue while suspended in his mouth, as well as having to leave his mouth partially open in a fixed position for three minutes.

I believe it is quite common to use rectal temperatures in a geriatric environment.

Would be interested to know if anyone has any experiences of a rectal temp being taken in a real medical / clinical setting....

No, Ihave no rectal temps in real

Yes, on two occasions, but a very long time ago, both in France.

1. In the early 1960's, I was then a very young boy, 6 or 7 years old, and my mother had taken me to our family doctor for a vaccination shot. As I was nude, lying on my stomach, waiting for the shot in my butt, the doctor asked my mother: "did you take this boy's temperature, as he is going to take a vaccine?" My mother answered: "no". "Well, then we have to check his temperature now". Quite brutally, he pusshed aside my small buns , took a thermometer and slid it into my rectum. I was surprised and, as he was , to say the least, not as gentle as my mother when she used to take my temperature, I started crying. As I was crying, he kept the thermometer in place and explained to my mother how important it is to check the temperatureI of children when they are to be vaccinated. I kept crying all the time I had this themometer in my ass. After that, to the doctor's and my mother's surprise, I took the shot whitout reacting.

2. In the seventies, in the last year at my hign school, the pupils (17 to 19 years old) had a rather comprehensive medical exam ( I told this storyt in the French section of this Forum) .The school doctor we had had the previous years was a surly elderly woman and we hated when she examined our penis and testicles, but at least there was no temperature taking. This year I am now refering to, we were examined by a young female doctor. She was really attractive, with long blond hair, blue eyes and an angelic face. Furthermore, she was dressed in an allmost provocative way with a miniskirt and a blouse with several boutons left open. And during the exam, she proved to be quite friendly, treating us like human beings, smiling a lot at us. At the end of the exam, she pulled down our pants and checked on our penis and testicles. Many of my classmates claimed they got an erection at this moment. Then, with a smile on her face, she asked us to turn around and, whitout any notice, she spread firmly our buttocks and inserted a thermometer in our rectum. We had then to stand for at least three minutes with her thermometer in the butt. Personnaly, I remember she kept her hands on my buns during the whole procedure, her soft touch on my skin causing me the erection I did not have during the exam. Two other ladies were present during the whole procedure and I can tell they did not miss the show, the school nurse and the school psychologist. After the thermometer reading by the doctor, the exam was over.

Most of the boys found this temperature taking rather humiliating as we considered us as young adults, but found it exciting that it was done by an attractive female doctor. I don't know if she was the person responsible for introducing this item in the exam or if she was just obeying orders.

I was 1964 I was being admitted to Hospital when I was 13. The nurse told me to roll over and then pulled my pajama bottoms and preceded to take my temperature rectally. She said it was more accurate this way.

About a year ago. my truck got stuck in a snow bank while trying to get out I fell down an embankment and broke my ankle. I wasn't able to climb back up. I spent 4 hours in the snow before some one showed up. I called the ambulance and got me to the hospital. Being all wet the ambulance cut off my clothes because they didn't want to pull the pants down over my ankle. Arrived at the hospital stark naked and in hypothermia. For the next 2 days. My temperature was taken rectally because of the hypothermia.

Mike

Tell them you just had a big cup of hot coffee and hope they don't have an ear thermometer....

My experience has been that here in the US, for adults, getting your RT taken in a doctor's office is slim to none (even for geriatric patients). For children under 5 there is a slight chance of getting your RT taken at the doctors office, with the probability increasing the younger you are.

Now, it has also been my experience that in the ER the probability of an RT for both children and adults goes way up.

My theory, without this becoming a political debate, is that in the office, they don't want to take the time to do an RT because they just want you in and out as quickly as possible. In the hospital, they seem to be more cautious, hold you longer, are usually dealing with sicker people and are more worried about "getting an accurate reading" Most of the hospitals I have been to don't even own an ear thermometer. They will get an oral if they can, might do an Axilary if they are not too concerned with your temperature, but will not hesitate to take a rectal on an adult or child if they have any doubts about an oral reading.

So my suggestion is to show up at the hospital vomiting with severe abdominal pain. Your chance or a rectal will be high. But unless you are into blood tests, stool samples, IVs and being held a minimum of 4 hours (most likely longer) you will just have to stick with your fantasies.

I went to see a doc for pinkeye and a minor skin infection, it was a walk in clinic, the nurse took my vitals with one of the newer looking machines that takes your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse at the same time. I happened to look over at the display where my temp was being shown and off to the right was a little diagram of a person, in three parts, head, middle/torso, and bottom from the waist down, my temp was being taken orally so the head logo was flashing, but just that there was an option for the bottom says that not only are rectal temps possible in a doctors office, but the machines are made with the possibility of them in mind.

In cases of hypo/hyperthermia, rectal temps are still pretty much standard. A year ago, I was on the first aid team for a marathon, and although no one wound up requiring it, rectal temps were actually protocol for those situations in the medical tent.

Rarely, if ever, are adult rectal temperatures taken in doctor offices or clinics. Although, it's actually still commonplace for children under 4 or 5 years of age to have their rectal temperature taken in a doctor's office if a fever is suspected.

In a hospital like where I work, where patients sometimes arrive in critical or serious condition, rectal temperatures are routinely taken. I've taken rectal temperatures on both adults and children who had heat strokes, or were not conscious to allow an oral temperature to be taken. Most people who are in serious enough condition don't really care where the thermometer goes, or are too scared or in shock to resist having a thermometer inserted up the rectum.

1961 I was in the hospital for 7 days. They took my temp at least 4 times a day.

Always in the bottom.

I would say it's very rare, maybe for infants. For children I found the doctors used an ear thermometer. For adults they use an ear thermometer or a sheath covered electric oral thermometer. Even in the hospital it's usually not done.

1961 I was in the hospital for 7 days. They took my temp at least 4 times a day.

Always in the bottom.

1961 is from a vanished world. Of course many here experienced those years as part of their young lives, but in practical terms they have almost become a Lost World, so much have things changed since ...

If you were to say ... half a century ago, they took my temp in the bottom .... well, that gives it a bit more perspective.

Rectal temperatures can be taken for patients who have had a heat stroke or too sick to have an oral temperature taken. If I was real sick with a bad cold, I would not mind myself having a rectal temperatures taken because the reading is more accurate. I am almost 40 and it will make no difference.

I can relate to the post about rectal temps. being commonplace in a hospital in 1961. Although I was never hospitalized, I heard personal accounts from several friends, who not only had their temps. taken rectally as a child, but as a teen as well, while in the pediatrics ward. I also spoke with a couple of women who had rectal temps. taken, during a short stay in the psychiatric wing. (Both were admitted for suicidal attempts). With the advent of new technology, I suppose that it's highly unlikely to have your temp. checked rectally, but I'm not in the healthcare field, so I won't make that assumption. I'm sure that there are exceptions.

I also spoke with a couple of women who had rectal temps. taken, during a short stay in the psychiatric wing. (Both were admitted for suicidal attempts).

I've been in psychiatric hospitals and never had my temperature taken rectally.

In the 21st century, there's no real reason to take a rectal temperature on an adult. Even in critical situations, they use temperature sensors in urinary catheters and breathing tubes that are more accurate. If it's not an intensive care situation, the slight variations are effectively meaningless. Getting an 'accurate' temperature when you have the flu or other common illness is likewise meaningless. Even a half degree difference doesn't matter. You're sick. You take medication, you drink plenty of water and rest till you get better.

Keep rectal temperatures for play and kids.

I have not had one that I remember.

I don’t think they take rectal temperatures at my drs office

I never had temp taken in my anus. More likely oral and more often today, in the ear.

My health department takes rectal temperatures. They only get done if your coming in sick or coming in for a vaccine.

Yes hands down they are it is a core reading

Would an underarm temp also cause you to gag?

How about the thing they swipe across your forehead?

Sorry, but you're going to look like a perv if you go into a real clinic requesting a rectal temp.

Would an underarm temp also cause you to gag?

How about the thing they swipe across your forehead?

Sorry, but you're going to look like a perv if you go into a real clinic requesting a rectal temp.

Sad butt true. Rectal temps are not used anymore. I know we have thermometers that you can point and shoot at a solution in a tank and it gives you an exact temp in seconds. I'm sure there are now similar devices in Medical offices. You go in asking for rectal and you'll get a referral to a shrink.