cna taking rectal temp

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 12, 2011

As long as it is allowed to be delegated to CNAs at your facility (per policy and procedure manual), I don't see why doing it would be a problem. While I have never had to do one, I think it's something that everyone is taught in CNA courses (correct me if I'm wrong).

Queen Tiye, CNA · Mar 12, 2011

yes, cnas are qualified to take rectal temperatures.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

As long as it is allowed to be delegated to CNAs at your facility (per policy and procedure manual), I don't see why doing it would be a problem. While I have never had to do one, I think it's something that everyone is taught in CNA courses (correct me if I'm wrong).

I wasn't taught to do so in CNA class. We did however watch a video on how to take it. Rectal temps. is one of the most accurate temp you can get..

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 12, 2011

I probably take temps rectally more than any other route.

interceptinglight, CNA · Mar 13, 2011

We were taught how to do them in CNA class, but the facility where we work doesn't take temps that way.

CNA2day · Mar 13, 2011

Bummer... lol we just got a rectal thermometer (first one ever in facility) and we have one nurse who thinks that it is the only way to take a temp.... no matter what it takes to get it. She is driving me insane!

I personally do NOT see the point on taking rectal temps all the time, and I think that it is really an invasion of privacy when used like she does it.

If you really have a reason to do one, then that is fine. But rectal temps for everyone seems really like overkill and not necessary. I think we should be using the least invasive methods for the residents, unless there is a reason to do more.

If we got by at the facility for 20 years doing them orally and axillary I just do not see the justification to start doing them all rectally!

JDZ344 · Mar 13, 2011

Where I work doesn't take rectal temps except in new borns, so I've never done it.

Do you know how to do one? If you have never done one, just say you don't feel that you are able to do it. You can refuse a delegation if you don't have the skills needed to carry it out.

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2011

I worked LTC years and years and years ago.

Once a week, after the patients were in bed, we did rectal temps.

However, we also digitally removed impacted stools...

I think there is a time and a place for rectal temps.

We have better noninvasive thermometers than we used to have.

I would doubt you would get any more information from a rectal than you would an oral, especially in stable patients.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2011

Bummer... lol we just got a rectal thermometer (first one ever in facility) and we have one nurse who thinks that it is the only way to take a temp.... no matter what it takes to get it. She is driving me insane!
I personally do NOT see the point on taking rectal temps all the time, and I think that it is really an invasion of privacy when used like she does it.
If you really have a reason to do one, then that is fine. But rectal temps for everyone seems really like overkill and not necessary. I think we should be using the least invasive methods for the residents, unless there is a reason to do more.
If we got by at the facility for 20 years doing them orally and axillary I just do not see the justification to start doing them all rectally!

As a nurse, I personally hate doing rectal temps. Sure, it's a accurate temp, but unless your a pediatric infant or toddler, most pts would prefer oral temps which are just as accurate. If the pt hasn't had anything hot/cold to drink recently, and is agreeable to cooperating for a oral temp, I don't see a point in doing a rectal temp. As an adult, I would refuse if someone wanted to do a rectal temp on me.