When you are given a rectal temp what is the longest time you held the thermometer?

OMG, it was about 70 minutes when I was in hospital as a 13yo because of different circumstances. It was one evening, I was first getting the thermometer eased into my bum, the other two boys had their turn afterwards. One then two boys just arrived at that day and he had big problems as a 14yo getting a rectal temp measurement. It took 15 minutes in total until the nurse finished with him.

But then she got a phone call and she suddenly went out. The 11yo fellow and I were still lying on our stomachs and the thermometer was still plugging in our bums. We grinned broadly to each other, made some jokes, but stayed patient. After further 15 minutes the nurse came back and apologised for the long waiting time. She withdrew the thermometer from the 11yo and suddenly the alarm bell rings. So she ran out and I was left still plugged with the thermometer in my bum which felt really warm at that time. I remember well that I played “Angry Birds” on a tablet during that time.

After a while the 11yo asked me if he should look for a nurse. He went out and came back a few minutes later, it was said to him that the nurse will come in a short time. So the boy came by my side and watched me playing, spread some ideas to make the level. Finally the nurse came back and apologised again but released my bum from the thermometer. I barely felt it when I didn't move, it was a strange feeling during that long time. After a while I felt its warmth but nothing more. But the moment of withdrawal felt nasty, because the gel lube almost got dry…

@Danto,

Fascinating story. Did not your parents complain to the hospital management ? 70 minutes looks like a very long time to me.

If I recall correct, while being hospitalized…one time I had to hold the thermomter in my bum for about 15-20 Minutes.

This was at the hospital when I was little. Guess nurse lost track. She had to take about 20 rectal temps in one run.

The whole experience I explained below took about 20 minutes.

@Svennson,

As a 13yo, I didn't mention that experience to my parents. The 11yo did it to his parents while I was present, my face really turned red, I wanted to curl up and die, if you want so … Otherwise I do understand when I have to wait while others are in emergency. And as a gamer I know how to let time pasting quickly… I didn't ask questions, I just followed and sticked it out. "What else should I have done while being in hospital?" so I was asking myself. Later I told some of my friends, just for telling another funny story of my past. But nothing more than that I was interpreting into it.

It always seemed like forever as a child on the exam table.

Once (I’m guessing) 30-45 minutes as my nurse was called away to assist in another room. She was the one who would insert the thermometer and then immediately pull my underwear up and over to keep it in place while she performed other tasks (usually in room). I had her as my nurse more than once, which is why she stands out in my memories, It may have been even longer

I recall her apologizing profusely to my mother, like the thermometer was in her ass…?

So 30-45 min.

Once had it left in for 10 minutes he said for accuracy

My Mom use to insist on 3 minutes, if I didn't complain or resist at the 3 minute mark she would leave it in longer.

No idea. My mother timed approximately 3 minutes. In hospital, if I recall correctly, the nurse would hand the thermometer to me, I would insert it and a little while later she would return, recover it and read it. I had no clock to time the wait, I suppose it took something like 5 minutes.

What was the longest time you have had a Rectal Thermometer in your rectum?

My male friend and I as kids, one time when we were alone, got two thermometers and lay on the bed in his room with them in our rectums and just talked. The thermometers were in our rectums for about 45 minutes or more. The longest I recall in a none play setting was at the doctor's when the nurse was called away and I was with one in my rectum for at least 15 minutes or more this happened a time or two at home also, when mom got a phone call.

Less than five minutes, but there was this time as a kid when I was hospitalized and had my temp taken, the nurse lost track and left it there for almost 20 minutes. I guess she forgot because she had 19 other kids in the pediatric ward at the time.