A rectal temperature should be taken if one of the two following situations exists.

(1) The physician or nurse has ordered that a rectal temperature be taken. (A rectal temperature may be ordered because it is more accurate measurement of a patient’s body temperature than are oral and axillary temperature readings.)

(2) The temperature route (oral, rectal, or axillary) has not been specified, conditions exist which contraindicate the oral route (paragraph 2-17b), and no conditions exist that contraindicate taking a rectal temperature (paragraph “b” below).

The rectal procedure is normally used for an infant or young child, for a patient who is unconscious or irrational, and for a patient that has difficulty breathing with his mouth closed. The rectal route is used in the case of any suspected environmental injury such as heatstroke or hypothermia.

b. When a Rectal Temperature Should Not Be Taken.

Do not take a patient’s rectal temperature if one or more of the following conditions (contraindications) are present.

(1) The patient has a heart (cardiac) condition. (The thermometer or probe could stimulate the vagus nerve in the rectum and cause cardiac arrhythmia.)

(2) The patient has hemorrhoids. (A hemorrhoid is enlarged portion of a vein. If the thermometer or probe were to damage a hemorrhoid, pain and bleeding could result.)

(3) The patient has recently under gone rectal surgery.

(4) The patient has diarrhea.