Rectal temperature

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi all,

I am a nurse and a paramedic and my state recently changed the EMS protocols, which state its ok to take a rectal temperature on a newborn

. My understanding is that a newborn (full term) should not have a rectal temperature until they have their first BM. I know the hospital where I worked in the ER (once in a while we would deliver, if the baby was in a hurry to get out) was strict about this.

What are your thoughts? It doesn't even specify with reference to rectal temp on full term only versus pre-term.

Annie

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Hi there! A very similar question was just asked a couple of days ago; it may be helpful!

https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-neonatal/temperature-methods-in-1001416.html