do you add a degree in Ax temps?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

I am having a hard time letting my newly mom sister understand that she does not need to add the degree under when taking an ax temp. I told her when she has problems with the baby, and takes temp to tell the dr "the thermomoter reads 99.9 under her arm." In place of "she is running 100.9 temp!" Uggg. so maybe I am wrong here. How do you do it? Do you add the degree or not? Thanks!

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Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.

Your are correct. I work on a peds floor, and in our charting we just document the route. There is no adding a degree or taking away!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.
Your are correct. I work on a peds floor, and in our charting we just document the route. There is no adding a degree or taking away!

Thank you for the reply I appreciate it!

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

Yep, we document the temp exactly as it shows on the thermometer via axillary route...whether it's 35.5 or 38.5! No adding, subtracting, or taking the square root of the width of the patient's thumb...

vamedic4

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

True story----HH I was working and the mom called me to come in and assess pt. She stated pt was running a high temp. I get there and read the thermometer and it wsa 97.8, no hyperhydrosis, no cynosis, nothing bad going on. Apperently she was reading the thrmometer upside down, and thought it read 81.6 UGGGGGGGGG.

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I've lost all confidence in axillary temps. Twice this last week, took axillary temps on toddlers. Got a 101.5 or something. Decided to take rectal immediately afterwards and they were 104.5 (both). I'm using axillary as a pre-screen. If its above fever level, I'm going to follow-up with a rectal temp. (My electronic thermometers from Welch-Allen are top notch and I trust their readings).

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