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Lesson 2: Temperature
Section III: Taking Temperatures
2-14
Section III. TAKING TEMPERATURES
2-14. WHAT PARTS OF THE BODY ARE USED IN DETERMINING
TEMPERATURE?
There are three principal locations for taking the patient's temperature
(figure 2-4).
Figure 2-4. Three locations for taking temperatures.
a. Mouth. A temperature taken by placing a thermometer in the patient's mouth is called an oral temperature. Most of the temperatures taken in a medical facility are oral temperatures. A thermometer designed for taking an oral temperature is called an oral thermometer.
b. Armpit. A temperature taken by placing a thermometer under the patient's arm in his armpit area is called an axillary temperature. A thermometer designed for taking oral temperatures is also used to take axillary temperatures.
c. Rectum. A temperature taken by holding a thermometer within the patient's rectum is called a rectal temperature. A thermometer designed for taking a rectal temperature is called a rectal thermometer.
