The usual way to take the temperature is by mouth. The glass thermometer is left in the mouth for three minutes. Electronic thermometers signal with a “beep” sound when the reading is complete. Single use thermometer will give results in 60 second.

For certain client’s, taking an oral temperature is NOT RECOMMENDED. These include:

• Unconscious patient, restless or confused clients
• Mouth breathers
• Those patients receiving oxygen
• Paralyzed patients
• those with mouth sores
• Infants and young children

Procedure in Taking an Oral Temperature:

Materials needed:

• Glass oral thermometer
• Tissue or cotton balls
• Pencil
• Paper

Steps:

1. Explain what you are going to do to your clients (be sure that your client did not eat, drink or smoke for 15 minutes before you take the procedure)
2. Have patient lie down or rest in a chair comfortably
3. Wash your hands before doing the procedure
4. Obtain materials listed above
5. Clean thermometer aseptically
6. Shake down mercury to 95º F or 35º C, if necessary
7. Place thermometer under client’s tongue, as far back as possible, into either heat pocket.
8. Tell patient to keep mouth closed and not to talk
9. Leave the thermometer in place for three minutes
10. Remove the thermometer and wipe with tissue or cotton balls from stem to bulb end. Do not touch any part of the thermometer that has been in the patient’s mouth
11. Read the thermometer and then place it on a tissue.
12. Record the temperature on the paper
13. Clean and dry thermometer.
14. Shake down thermometer to 95ºF or 35ºC.
15. Store thermometer in proper location
16. Wash hands after procedure.