Best Methods for Taking Body Temperature in Elderly & Hospitalized Patients

Oral

- Temperature greater than 37.8 deg Celsius (100 deg F)

- The oral site should be the preferred route for most hospitalized patients.

- Avoid measuring oral temperatures in patients who have a depressed level of consciousness or who have nasogastric tubes in place

Rectal

- Temperature of 101 F or higher

- It is a preferred site for all infants and young children under the age of 5

- Rectal temperatures are higher than oral temperatures by about 0.5-0.7 deg F

- Contraindicated in patients with:

- Bleeding disorders

- Recent rectal surgery

- Severe diarrhea or abdominal pain

Axillary (armpit)

- Temperature of greater than 97 F but lower than 101 F

- Preferred route for infants and children if rectal temperatures are not routinely obtained in that age group.

- Measure twice and average the two readings.

- Add 1 deg F to obtain a comparable oral reading.

Tympanic (ear)

- A single high temperature that may require urgent care

- Requires proper training; the probe must be inserted at the correct depth

- May not be accurate if the ear canal is obstructed with earwax or debris