Best way to take temperature

My wife bought an ear themometer for the family. It is definitely less intrusive. However, the several times I tested it on myself, I got readings that were substantially lower than my rectal temperature. I guess it's a trade-off between accuracy and expedience. Unfortunately for those of us who like RTs, it seems that expedience is winning out.

Rectal temps. are supposedly the gold standard for accuracy, but if they were the best choice, then why has the healthcare profession shied away from them ? Does the slight difference in accuracy, really matter ? I'm sure that the new wave of thermometers, i.e., forehead scanners, ear thermometers, etc., aren't accurate enough, but what about an oral temperature ? Every time that I've visited the doctor, or ER, I've only received oral temps., taken with a long probe under the tongue. I can understand that rectal temps. may be done as an exception, but not routinely. We enjoy rectal temps. as a fetish, but the medical world thinks differently. If anything, (and I would strongly disagree), they would view us as in need of professional help, based on our fetish. In reality, it's incredibly moronic to think that a psychologist or psychiatrist is going to change our views. A rectal temp. fetish is harmless, and for some of us, it may be the best thing that we have to look forward to during the week.

I enjoy hearing the rectal temp-est over mercury glass rectal thermometers vs. digital ones. The simplest answer as to why health professionals switched is that the medical equipment industry switched once China flooded the market with glass mercury rectal thermometers costing about $5.00 a box of two dozen. You can often find them on eBay for prices like that, The other reason is that medical professionals don't want to use old fashion inexpensive equipment for expensive exams which would make them seem out-of-date. Otherwise their exorbitant fees could easily be questioned. Compare even the least expensive digital thermometer to the glass rectal ones which are still to be found in many online vendor's listings. The facts are that the glass mercury rectal thermometer has never been improved upon. I have never heard of one breaking in someone's rectum so the question of mercury toxicity is mute -- if not ridiculous. Bottom line for most of is. We like and prefer to use our old fashioned mercury thermometers. If it ain't broke, why try to fix it.

Our local community hospital has a line item on the daily charge sheet for "Thermometry".

It has been shown that ear temperatures, forehead temperatures and under the arm (axillary) temperatures are all highly inaccurate. Oral and rectal temperatures are the most reliable. The embarrassment and humiliation of a rectal temp makes it the one I want.

Whoever decided that 98.6 was the “normal” temperature? In my opinion, if rectal IS the most accurate (don’t tell my family, but I believe it is!!), then 99.6 should be the “Norm.” If you take your temperature orally, you should add one degree, and if you take it under your arm, you should add two degrees. Or, if you take it orally or under the arm, then you should take it rectally afterward regardless of what your initial temp was.

You're pretty much correct, MuddQT. The "normal range" is defined by checking temperatures of many individuals who are not identifiably ill. The mean plus/minus 2 standard deviations defines that normal range. Upper limits of normal are, last time I checked, 99.4 for oral and 100.4 for rectal. Only 2.5% of people who are not ill will be found to be above that limit so the usual inference is that they are sick.

I beg to differ but some older physicians tend to think outside the box. My family doctor was 72 the last time i saw him and he still thought that rectal temps were normal even for me.

The concept of there being a normal body temperature is somewhat misleading. It is generally accepted that normal body temperature ranges between 36.1C (97F) to 37.2C (99F). although it depends on:

* The person

* Their age

* What they've been doing ( as in activity)

* The time of day

* Which part of the body you take the temperature from.

The concept that normal body temperature is 37C (98.6F) stems from work performed by German physician called Dr Carl Wunderlich. He is credited with taking temperature readings from thousands of patients, which led him to propose that 37C was normal body temperature.

Research from Winthrop University in the US published in 2006 found that older people have lower temperatures and that, even when ill, their bodies may never reach temperatures that would be regarded as fever.

As others have mentioned the gold standard for obtaining a core temperature the true reflection of someone actual temperature is by taking a rectal temperature as this closely relates to the actual body's temperature.

Where I work ( ITU) we use rectal temperature probes for motoring our patients temperatures, however with the advent of catheters with a temperature port we are increasing using them.

A patient temperature is only one parameter used in determining if someone has an infection, others include white blood cell count ( WBC) , Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C reactive protein(CRP) and actual physical exam , wound observation ( colour, heat, smell). etc

Thanks RN1993. As usual you provided an encyclopediac and accurate discussion of the topic.

For babies and toddlers; rectal for accuracy. For youngsters starting like age 5 should be under arm and learn oral temperatures as time to time. Rectal can also depend on the child and if they are ready to learn under arm or an oral temperature. Now today, rectal can be for babies and an ear temperature can be for toddlers and also adults. My temperature was taken in my ear at the age 19. I was not ready to under arm temperatures until toward the end of age 4; after I had a procedure done to my ears. From all the posted stories that I have read, I noticed that most of us grew up having your temperatures taken rectally up to a certain age or just for the fun of it due to the way they felt when being inserted, left in, or being held in place or even when the thermometer is cold at the time when it is being inserted.

Hagar is right about the variations in temperatures depending on where the thermometer is inserted. I was "feeling under the weather " the other day and stayed home from work. I took out a digital thermometer and slipped it under my tongue and waited for the beep. It read 97.8. I then took out my glass mercury rectal thermometer. I lubed it up and inserted it up my rectum and waited for three minutes before withdrawing and noting the reading. That reading was 99.4.

The best way to take a person's temperature is rectally while suspended by their ankles. Simply sticking a thermometer up someone's ass isn't that exciting.

This forum exists because a small segment of the population, (us), agrees that rectal temps have value. Once our generation is gone, few people outside of scientists and historians, likely won't be aware that such a practice not only existed, but was also common.

The best way is rectal, for sure!

Agree that a rectal is the absolute best way. Still no proof that any other way besides vaginal is more accurate.

Rectal is the best way to take a temperature

Best way, my favorite, is rectal. I’ve discussed why in several other posts. I only do it in playing doctor scenarios.

What makes them better is using a glass thermometer and also leaving it in a glass of cold water beforehand. The cold sensation in the patient’s anus is electric. I can say this from experience both receiving and giving.

Anyone else try this?

The most exciting way to take a person's temperature is with a thermapen needle probe between the ribs into the liver on the right side.

I usually ask the patient before the exam and I’ll do whatever they are comfortable with. I prefer rectal temps but I don’t insist on it for a play exam.

If you come to our clinic expecting thrills and chills when I take your temperature, your bubble is sure to be busted. A Berrcom digital, non-contact and readings within a second. You refuse might take a bit longer as I bend you over and ?????

Over your knee bum naked.