How far do you insert the thermometer?

Half way at least. Sometimes as deep as when I clenched my cheeks the thermometer wouldn't be visible anymore. Afraid to go any deeper.

About two inches

A inch to inch and a half

Usually 2-3 centimeters.

When I was a child I remember reading a child care book which praised rectal temperatures as the best and most accurate method to take a temperature for children of all ages. I reread that section a few times as a kid. I remember under the instructions it said to insert the thermometer 1/3 to 1/2 it's length. So I always go with one half the length of a glass thermometer. If you have a digital, it would be length of tip to where it widens.

As long as there is no resistance, I insert most of the thermometer (old style glass). Always leave enough sticking out so it doesn't get lost.

So that 'resistance' I keep reading in the responses, is that a stool or are you pressed against the rectum wall?

Could be both... if it's stool, chances are that could throw off the reading some, and well.. the thermometer would come out a bit messy. If it's the rectal wall, well, you certainly don't want to keep pushing, for obvious reasons. That's why it's always a good rule of thumb, if you feel resistance, STOP!

I let it go as far as possible until I feel resistance.

Approx 1-1.5 inches or maybe even Half the length of the thermometer

When I have my rectal temp taken the thermometer is inserted a little more than half-way in, about 3 inches.

Using a large animal thermometer allows for deeper insertion.

Kind of let it slide til there's a little resistance too...

As far as they let me put it in :-)

normaly until you feel a little resistance

kinda depends of the position you take it in too

Taking it myself, I like to try and go in as far as it will let me. Bring my knees to my chest seems to let it go a bit farther than on my hands and knees.

When I get to the rectal temperature part of the exams on my patients, I generally have two criteria as far as insertion length goes.

First, is to insert it not further than it being easy to retrieve it. Many will say, "well, daaah," but you'll find you could potentially insert it too far with absolutely no resistance. Second, my criteria is to generally insert it as far as it'll go in easily, and with no resistance (keeping retrieval in mind, per the above advice). Then I secure the end of the thermometer between my index and middle fingers, gently resting my hand on the patient's buttocks for about three minutes. That way, the patient feels secure, with the thermometer inserted securely in place. It's after that time period that I rotate it and move it around slightly, to make sure the reading will be accurate.

I'm with patientecare (and others). The insertion and removal of the instrument and its gentle rotation are what makes it so pleasurable for the patient. Similar to how I do my rectal and prostate exams (in the case of men).

I use either the traditional, glass rectal thermometer or the digital type.

I believe about an inch .

My girlfriend seems like she puts it in about halfway everytime she takes mine

Until it feels comfortable, which is usually no further (or just barely further) than the tapering after the bulb. I have the good luck of owning an older rectal thermometer, so it's pretty much designed to let you know where it should be.

When it has been taken, it appears to be inserted half way given how the ky looks on the thermometer after it's removed by the nurse. After the initial insertion, I really don't feel it or its not uncomfortable. It has been taken with me on my side or tummy. The anticipatory reaction is more intense than lying there with it registering. By then my thoughts turn to how slowly time seems to pass.

I insert mine about 1.5 inches -- using a Geratherm glass thermometer.

About an inch into my bum

Halfway with glass and as far as possible with the digital units.

When taking a rectal temperature use one hand to gently separate the buttocks with the thumb and forefinger, so you can see the rectum. With your other hand, carefully insert the thermometer into the patient's rectum, only 1⁄2 to 1 inch or about 1.3 to 2.5 cm.

The thermometer should be pointed toward the patient’s belly button. Most importantly Stop if you feel any resistance.

Hold the thermometer in place with one hand on the buttocks. Try to reassure the patient and prevent them from moving around. It is important the patient remain still while the thermometer is inserted so they don't get hurt during the procedure.

If the patient moves around too much, it can cause the thermometer to malfunction or poke the patient in the rectum.

Never leave a patient unattended with a thermometer inside the rectum.

Most people on here were brought up using glass thermometers, however, I'm an exception. I was raised in the age of digital thermometers. Those thermometers have a silver tip, determining how far insertion is necessary, to get an accurate reading. To those who used glass, about how far was it inserted? To those who used digital, how far past the silver tip was it put in your bottom?

Glass rectal thermometer approx. 1 to 1&1/2 inches, applied using Vaseline lubricant while slightly rotated in both directions as it was inserted & held in place for several minutes...That's the way it was once done

I think it was always a few inches every time, when I was a kid. Now during play or doing it solo I am always careful. Deep insertion with glass thermometer are not the safest way especially while playing with inexperienced people. So I prefer always to be on the safe side.

Digital thermometer are shaped differently so insertion is always till the curve of the electronic display.

Rectaltempbabe, the thermometer needs to be carefully inserted into the rectum to a depth of only 1⁄2 to 1 inch or about 1.3 to 2.5 cm. The thermometer should be pointed toward the patient’s belly button. Most importantly Stop if you feel any resistance.

Hold the thermometer in place with one hand on the buttocks and try and prevent them from moving around. It is important that they remain still while the thermometer is inserted so they don't get hurt during the procedure.

If the individual moves around too much, it can cause the thermometer to malfunction or poke the them in the rectum.

The glass thermometers in use at my home had a thick part and a thin part in the front. The thin part was inserted fully until the wide part rested on the anus.

I'm not sure how far mom put it in me when I was real young...maybe an inch at most. Now when I'm taking a rectal temperature on an adult, I'll slowly put a traditional glass thermometer in half way or until I feel resistance.