2.16 Will I get the same temperature readings for oral, axillary, and rectal temperatures?

As indicated in paragraph 2-3i, the location where the temperature is taken causes a slight difference in a patient’s temperature reading.

Suppose you were to measure a patient’s oral, axillary, and rectal temperature at the same time. The axillary temperature reading would be about 1º F (0º.6 C) lower than the oral temperature reading while the rectal temperature reading would be about 1 ºF (0.6º C) higher than the oral temperature reading (figure 2-6).

NOTE: This example is given in order to illustrate a point. You do not take a patient’s temperature three different ways at the same time.

Figure 2-6. Normal average rectal, oral, and axillary temperature readings (approximate).
Figure 2-6. Normal average rectal, oral, and axillary temperature readings (approximate).

A Distance Learning Course