Charting Temperature Sites

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I was taught to chart temperature as follows:

T98.2 (it's assumed be an oral temperature unless otherwise indicated, so no need to write the site down)

T98.2 A (for axillary)

T98.2 R (for rectal)

T98.2 TY (for tympanic membrane)

In preparation for taking my CNA examination, I was reading the procedure list from my state manual and it stated I must record the site used to take the temperature. It appears that they only test for oral temperatures.

What should I put for the oral site? I'm guessing it would be, for example, T98.2 O. Is that right? :uhoh21:

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I personally NEVER leave anyting to assumption. Hope that helps you!

Sharon

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I personally NEVER leave anyting to assumption. Hope that helps you!

Sharon

Yeah....not so much. :lol2:

I don't like leaving anything to assumption either, which is why I'm asking. But it (not writing down the site for oral temperature) was the way I was taught and the way the CNAs charted where I went for clinicals. I flipped through my textbook and it doesn't mention anything about charting the oral temperature site either.

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Just thought of two more questions:

In addition to oral temperatures, how would I chart the temporal artery site? (T98.2 TA?)

Does anyone put a space (T 98.2) or hyphen (T-98.2) when they chart temperatures? I've always scrunched them together (T98.2). Now that I look at it I see it isn't the easiest to read.

Granted, I haven't done any "real" charting yet, so I just want to make sure that when the time comes (for my test and when I get a job) I'll be doing it correctly.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

When in doubt, write out the entire word.

I dont know how the CNA test works, but I know when you work in a hospital then will have their own way of how to chart things.

We have computer charting - you just check the box next to oral, axillary, tympanic, temporal, rectal, etc. It makes it easy to see how the temp was taken.

Another suggestion would be to email the teacher of the CNA class and ask them how you are supposed to chart for the test.

Good luck on your test!

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