Equipment:   Oral thermometer, tissues, paper, and pen.

Assembles equipment.

Wash your hands.

Explain the procedure.

Provide privacy.
Ask if the patient has recently had hot or cold fluids or been smoking. Wait 15 minutes if the response was positive.

Rinse the thermometer with cool water, check for chips, and dry with tissue.

Shake the mercury down. Apply disposable covers if used by your agency.

Place the bulb end of the thermometer under the patients tongue, and ask that the patient keeps their mouth and lips closed.

Leave the thermometer in the patients mouth for 5 to 10 minutes. Pulse and respiration's can be checked while waiting.

Remove the thermometer, holding the stem end. Wipe the thermometer with the tissue from the stem toward the bulb or remove the disposable cover.

Read the thermometer accurately.

Record the temperature.

Shake the mercury down.

Replace the thermometer in its container or return to proper place for cleaning.

Make the patient comfortable.

Wash your hands.

Report any abnormal readings, following agency policy.

To see a video of this procedure, Click Here (modem).

To see a video of this procedure, Click Here (DSL or T1)
 

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