Contraindications for Rectal Temperature Measurement

Rectal thermometry should be avoided in the following situations:

• Recent rectal surgery or trauma
• Severe hemorrhoids or active rectal bleeding
• Fecal incontinence (risk of soiling, inaccurate reading)
• Anal fissures or fistulas
• History of rectal prolapse
• Elderly or debilitated patients at risk for falls or vagal response during positioning
• Neutropenia or thrombocytopenia (mucosal injury risk)

Alternative sites (oral, axillary, tympanic, temporal artery) are preferred when contraindications exist.