Correctly Read a Glass Thermometer: A Step-by-Step Guide

After checking a patient's temperature with a glass thermometer, the mercury will not go down on its own. It will continue showing the same temperature unless you reverse it by a method called "shaking down." Shaking down will force the mercury back into the bulb from the stem. Without shaking it down, you will not be able to obtain an accurate temperature reading for another patient.

Instructions

• 1

  Stand in a clear area without any furniture around so you don't hit the thermometer when reversing it by shaking it down.

• 2

  Hold the thermometer, with your fingers and thumb, from the opposite side of the bulb end. This end is a knob, typically colored red or blue.

• 3

  Shake down the thermometer using sharp, quick wrist motions. Do this activity several times and read the thermometer. If it shows below 94º F (34.4º C), it has been reversed. If the reading is above 94º F (34.4º C), continue shaking down the thermometer and try again.