Procedure for taking rectal temp

The nurse at the pediatrician office would tell me to lie down on my tummy, a term I grew to dislike when I got to be a teenager. One time, after telling me to lie down, she took the thermometer out of the jar of alcohol and shook it down. She slid down my underwear, and then apparently discovered there was no vaseline in the room. She announced that she would be right back. It must have taken her about 3-4 minutes when she finally returned with a new jar of vaseline. All this time I was lying on the table with my bottom exposed and my mom sitting in the room. Just another temperature memory.

Either laying on my left side or on my stomach, a well lubed rectal thermometer gets inserted, then held for 3 minutes. If it slides out (easy to do with the lube) or I move at all, I get 12 swats of the paddle, then the process starts over. If I move that time, the cane gets pulled out... I always get a series of 4 quart enemas afterward too.

I like first of all to undress and be barefoot, and then using a gloved finger to first lubricate my rectum,then lay on my tummy and sort of flex my hips together, a little gyrating around. Then dip the rectal thermometer in a jar of vaseline, making sure its all nice and slippery. I enjoy building up the suspense and place the thermometer on some white tissue, and so to view it awhile, Imagining what this young nurse would be saying to me. Perhaps a second nurse comes in and holds my legs, or presses down on the small of my back,...THEN HERE it Comes! feeling a hand spread apart my buttcheeks, ): ,," Hun.I am now sticking the thermometer up in your rectum, PLEASE! Lay very still!" Feels like she's inserted the thermometer at least half way in my rectum! My heart starts to beat faster, and my breathing too! The nurse keeps a steady hand on that thermometer while she holds it in my rectum for five minutes,,,,):

Watching someone else lubricate the bulb of the thermometer before inserting it in my rectum.

I like the idea of lubing the tip of the thermometer & slowly tracing the anus with the tip to lubricate the pt. The best way to go, in my opinion, is Vaseline. You can watch it change as the pt's body heat melts it. The squirming that is sure to accompany this is priceless!

When playing with my ex-wife, I would always have her lay on her stomach or her side and apply some lube to her anus, and then slowly insert my finger before the thermometer. It usually worked pretty well to help warm her up during foreplay.

I put KY gel on the thermometer and then insert it. I don't think I also need to put lube on the rectum, but sometimes I do it 😃

Apply lubricant to thermometer and then inserting into rectum.

I like the way my mother used to do it.

Shake thermometer down. Take a glob of vaseline on the thermometer bulb. Use the thermometer to apply glob to the anus. Insert thermometer. Hold for three full minutes, either by holding the thermometer or squeezing the cheeks together. Remove, wipe with Kleenex and read.

My preference is also the way mother did it. She always used some kind of a white fat creme on the metal tip of the glass thermometer before she inserted it.

A rectal thermometer is a slender instrument relatively speaking so a minor amount of lubricant is easily sufficient from a utility standpoint. Of course the final procedure is always to the examiner's choice.

Something to consider on lubricant choice--KY and other water soluble jelly lubes are thin and very slippery. Although I personally prefer it, just as instruments go in real easily and very smooth so they also come out, sometimes unintentionally. As a result, I expect to have to keep my hand on the thermometer to make sure it stays inserted deeply and doesn't accidentally slip out. With petroleum jelly lube such as Vaseline, it is more viscous and slower. A quick dip in the Vaseline jar allowing a generous dollop on the tip is sufficient before gently inserting deeply into the rectum. Its characteristics enable it to stay-put better and not tend to slip out. This means the examiner may not always have to hold the thermometer to ensure it remains deeply inserted. The examiner should always accompany this procedure regardless however for the patient's safety.

The patient position should also be considered, for example prone on her tummy on the table flat versus in the lithotomy position with her bottom out over the edge of the table.

If you lubricate the thermometer, it makes it harder to feel, and kind of ruins the sensation. At least, that's been my experience. Vaseline does bring back some good memories though !

I have felt more relaxed when the anus has been "massaged" and has made the insertion that much easier.

Mother always lubed bum hole first by inserting finger full Vaseline in to opening once that was done simply inserted thermometer mostly done in diaper position

My recollection was almost always Vaseline applied to the thermometer and then touched to my anus, and slowly inserted.

In a medical setting, it has most often been associated with the thermometer receiving some lubrication prior to insertion. In lesser instances, it has involved that and a quick dab of lube to my anus, which tends to make my anus pucker ever so slightly before the insertion.

Patient on tummy, Cheeks spread wide and anus lubricated with vaseline. Thermometer rests in a glass of cold water prior to insertion. End of thermometer is coated with vaseline and very very slowly inserted into her or my waiting anus.

We lubricate the thermometer and sometimes the anus, externally (by wiping excess lubricant off the finger onto the anus). This is for both play and regular, medical usage (e.g. on our young children).

Internal lubrication is just for play.

Step one: My mom would put a sleeve over the thermometer and come into the living room and have a seat on the sofa.

Step two: I will drop my pants and undergarments and lay over my mom's lap.

Step three: My mom spreads my cheaks and she inserts the thermometer nice and easy.

Step four: Just relax for 5 minutes.

Step five: Put out the thermometer and read results while I put up my pants and off I go back to my toys.

I prefer KY as opposed to Vaseline. Haven't had my temperature taken enough times to establish a preference for just the thermometer lubricated versus anus also lubricated. Probably externally lubricated for sure.

Just stick the thermometer in the vaseline, twirl it a couple of times and it's ready

Get in the Simms position and enjoy!

When I was younger, my mom and grandmother would apply a plastic sheath over the thermometer, dip it into a packet of disposable lubricant they brought home from work (they're nurses), and insert it into my bottom and wait for it to read. These days, I use coconut oil.

My procedure for taking a rectal temperature is under the topic Working Your Way Up To Rectal Temperatures.

I like most when my girlfriend at first give a good shaking to the old-style-thermometer and then put the tip of it into the vaseline. I also prefer when only the tip oh the thermometer is lubrificated.

Procedure for taking a rectal temperature

Equipment need:

Thermometer: Rectal Electronic Thermometer or glass rectal thermometer

Lubricant

Two pairs of nonsterile gloves

Tissues

Perform hand hygiene/wash hands, and apply gloves when appropriate. To reduces transmission of microorganisms. Hands are washed before and after every contact with a patient. Gloves are worn to avoid contact with bodily secretions and to reduce transmission of microorganisms.

Ask the patient to remove underwear and cover with a sheet or drape .

Place client in the Sims’ position. It is performed by having a patient lie on their left side, left hip and lower extremity straight, and right hip and knee bent. It is also called lateral recumbent position. Proper positioning ensures visualization of anus. Flexing the knee relaxes muscles for ease of insertion.

Place tissues in easy reach. Apply gloves. the tissue is needed to wipe anus after device is removed.

Lubricate tip of rectal probe (a rectal probe usually has a red cap) or rectal thermometer . As it promotes ease of insertion of thermometer or probe.

With dominant hand, grasp top of the probe’s stem or tip of the rectal thermometer . With other hand, separate buttocks to expose anus to aid in the visualization of anus.

Instruct the patient to take a deep breath to relax anal sphincter. Insert the probe or rectal thermometer gently into anus: infant, 1.2 cm (0.5 inches); adult, 3.5 cm (1.5 inches). If resistance is felt, do not force insertion, Gentle insertion decreases discomfort to patient and prevents trauma to mucous membranes.

With a digital thermometer it will beep when a constant temperature registers. With a rectal thermometer ( glass) gently hold in place for 3 to 5 mins.

Remove and record the temperature. Use the tissue to wipe the anus. Remove gloves and discard

If a patient is tense and clinching up, apply lubricant liberally to the bulb of the rectal thermometer and then brush it gently against the anus for a few seconds. This tends to relax the anal opening and the thermometer will slide in easier. Nurse Angie's wisdom.

@RN1993 Now that is medical advice!

I prefer Vaseline for temps because it doesn't evaporate. I spread the cheeks and spin the thermometer with a little wiggle to get it centered. It will slide right in, up your ass, smooth as glass.

Beccarnmommy hit the proverbial "nail" on the head with her post! Other than that all I can say is I agree and how true!

Lying face down on a firm, horizontal surface and cheeks spread wide open, a glass rectal thermometer with a generous application KY Jelly on the silvery tip will breach the tight opening with ease as well as enable the cold, three-sided glass structure to easily pass through it as the silvery tip travels to its destination.