Oral thermometer used rectally?

I posted that I have had my temperature taken rectally during sick visits, and many times the thermometer used was the glass-mercury thermometer or the electronic probe, and on one occasion a digital thermometer.

On at least two occasions I can remember, once in a small doctor's office where a good looking 30ish something nurse was working, I requested and had my rectal temperature taken-but she used an ORAL glass thermometer on me. But that was fine by me, it was up my butt where I wanted it. Another time an ER dept. nurse took my rectal temperature that I requested be taken, and she used a glass oral mercury thermometer to check my rectal temperature. I just hope these thermometer weren't used orally later on.

If the thermometers were later used orally, I can assure you that they were cleaned well.

I was a Navy Corpsman many moons ago, and we had both glass and electronic thermometers. Usually we had "red tips" and "blue tips," but occasionally only had one or the other. Usually the "blue tips," which is odd because many time when you need to take a temp in the field, it is a rectal temp. (It is the most accurate when evaluation heat or cold conditions, such as heat stroke or hypothermia, and an accurate "core temp" is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.)

Probes from electronic thermometers have disposable covers and glass ones are usually cleaned and stored in alcohol.

No worries for the next patient.

If it was a long tipped oral that can be dangerous. They are not meant to go in the rectum because of the shape. I know this from experience. lol

They shouldn't be using oral thermometers to take rectal temperatures. Often these oral thermometers will have longer slimmer bulbs which are not ideal for a comfortable insertion. The longer thinner profile of the bulb tends to snag the inside of the anal canal....OUCH!....so this is why you have the short,round, stubbier bulbs on rectal thermometers. The stems of glass rectal thermometers also tend to be a bit thicker to lessen the likelihood of breakage.

I totally agree with Nurse Nikki. Oral thermometers have a long thin glass envelope to speed their reaction time which is very fragile compared to a rectal thermometer. There are universal "clnical" thermometers which have a rounded bulb tip and are designed for fast response time orally as well as being strong enough for safe rectal use. If oral thermometers were suitable for rectal use the manufacturers wouldn't go to the expense of designing and obtaining FDA approval for both.

If the thermometer is properly washed and then cleaned with alcohol there is little chance of cross infection, although some does exist so disposable sheaths are often used in a professional environment.

Anthonylambrada

Please give us more detail about "I know this from experience."

Yes - the oral therms can be a little dangerous for rectal if the temp taker is not careful and/or experienced. Rectal therms are at every drug store - and they are pretty cheap!

I dont´know if they have the same measurements and results, i think they are like the same but not in the diameter and shape

I bet the worst thing is if you use it oral again after you use it for a rectal. Yuk!

Absolutely, CandyKisses!

Reminds me of that old joke :

What's the difference between oral and rectal thermometers?

Answer : The taste!

[quote author=carmen link=topic=5421.msg269280#msg269280 date=1263426128]

i freak out thinking of the same thermomethe rused both ways!

[/quote]

Solution: Only use it one way for the rest of its life......you should only be using it one way anyways....after all, oral temps just aren't accurate enough 😜

Seriously - the long slim ones aren't good rectal thermometers. It CAN be done if you're very careful, but then again, how many of us are perfectly still while being sensually probed by a rectal thermometer?

Let's see....$5 for a real one vs. a trip to the ER explaining why you have a piece of glass stuck in your bottom........I'm going with the $5........

At Home , I use a rectal thermometer! I have not a oral thermometer.

I rather just spend the money and get a real rectal one

I just have a digital recital thermometer. It says it can be used orally but I don’t take my temp that way

When I grew up, in France, the same glass thermometers (and later the electronic ones) were sold for oral, rectal or axillary use. In our household, and in the children ward where I went for appendicitis, only rectal temperatures were used anyway. I recall reading the little leaflet that came with one thermometer, which gave instructions for the three modes of operation, but mom said that the most precise is in the derrière.

In any case, at home the thermometer was always cleaned with alcohol after use, so I doubt there would have been a problem using it orally after.

I've used an oral thermometer rectally, but later discovered that it was a serious mistake, that could have ended badly.

The Geratherm glass thermometers I use can generally be used for both oral and rectal temperatures, but should no longer be used for oral temperature taking once it has been used rectally for the first time (which happens immediately after purchase in my case).

I have never used a oral thermometer to take my temperature rectally.