Body measurements

Rectal temperatures run higher than those taken in the mouth or armpit axilla because the rectum is warmer. The three best ways to measure body temperature are rectally orally or with a tympanic thermometer ear. The most common ones are the mouth the ear the armpit and the rectum. An ear tympanic temperature is 05f 03c to 1f 06c higher than an oral temperature. The average body temperature of. Place the child face down on a flat surface or lap.

The normal rectal temperature of a child is between 97 and 100 f 360 to 377 c. Under 3 months and has a rectal temperatures of 1004 f or higher between 3 months and 3 years and has a rectal temperature over 102 f older than 3 years and has an oral temperatures above 103 f. The average normal oral temperature is 986f 37c. May 2001 body temperature is routinely measured as 1 of the 4 vital signs and when. Spread the buttocks and insert the bulb end about 12 to 1 inch 1 to 25 centimeters into the anal canal. Always use a digital thermometer to check your childs temperature.

Place petroleum jelly on the bulb of a rectal thermometer. For older kids oral temperatures are fine as long as the child can hold the thermometer under his tongue. Fever may be an indicator of illness. Be careful not to insert it too far. Rectal temperature measurements are considered the gold standard for measuring core body temperature. Temperature can also be measured on your forehead.

The typical daytime temperatures among healthy adults are as follows. A rectal temperature is 05f 03c to 1f 06c higher than an oral temperature. In the united states temperatures are often measured in degrees fahrenheit. Temperature in the anus rectumrectal vagina or in the ear tympanic is about 375 c 995 f temperature in the mouth oral is about 368 c 982 f temperature under the arm axillary is about 365 c 977 f. A temperature taken in the rectum is the closest way to finding the bodys true temperature. Touching a babys skin can let you know if he or she is warm or cool but you cant measure body temperature simply by touch.

Never use a mercury thermometer. A normal body temperature for infants aged 02 years ranges from 9791004f when taken rectally. Body temperature may rise a little when a baby is teething. Generally the correlation of temperature results are as follows. 1 in infants under 3 months old only take a rectal temperature. Thermometers show body temperature in either degrees fahrenheit f or degrees celsius c.

For infants and toddlers be sure to use a rectal thermometer correctly.