Most accurate way to take a temp

[AmericanChai]

I'm just a student, so no clinical experience. In my personal experience as a mom, however, I have gone through several kinds of thermometers. I have bought and returned some really expensive ones including the ear one and the forehead one. Even with the last two kinds, I found that when I scanned my child's temp it would give very different readings even a minute apart, like by 2-3 degrees! I finally gave up and bought a glass non-mercury thermometer and we use that under the kids' arms.

When my kids and I got to the doctor they use the ear and forehead ones. I wonder how accurate those really are. Today I picked my daughter up from school because her stomach was hurting. The nurse said her temp was normal (she used the ear one). I got home and she had a 102.4 fever!

IIt really is important to have an accurate reading, because I treat a temp differently if it's 101 vs. 104.5. What's your experience on the most accurate thermometer for hospital, clinical, and home use? Are the store bought ones (even the expensive ones) not as good as what they use in clinical or hospital settings?

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

Ear thermometers absolutely are not accurate on a consistent basis! I've seen them give normal readings when the oral digital thermometer then read over 102, and I've seen them panic parents by reading 106! (Temp wasn't over 101). I discourage parents from buying or keeping them and insist that we use digital axillary or rectal in the clinic, at least for kids. (I have a plan to make the ear one disappear!!)

I've had pretty good luck with a digital that can be used oral, axillary, or rectal. I've not had any experience with the temporal one but would like to try it.

[VandyNurse714]

Worked at a pediatric office for two years...the docs HATED the tympanic thermometers. They are never right.

I use digital thermometers with nice accuracy as long as they are held in the proper position. Rectally, of course, is the most accurate. Orally is the second most accurate way, but you have to make sure the person hasn't had anything to drink in a while. You also have to make sure the person holds it firmly under the tongue until it beeps. Or, you can do what I do sometimes, and you can place it waay back in the mouth buccally with the mouth all the way closed.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I went to a presentation for the temporal thermometers. The guy tried it out on me and the first temp showed I had a fever. Then 5 minutes later it was down. Then 5 minutes later the fever was higher.

We bought them anyway but I refused to use them.

steph

[MQ Edna]

Every time I think of rectal temps I think of someone sticking one of those meat thermometers in a roast to see if it's done yet... Bad image I know... but still. (Rump Roast anyone?)

[pedsnursebs]

Unfortunately...and I don't know of a kid that doesn't scream in protest....but rectally is the way to go. I have found it to be the most accurate method. Remember...you're trying to get a read of the body's core temperature; therefore, a rectal temp makes the most sense to me. On my floor, we do rectal temps on all peds patients who are unable to hold the therm in the mouth properly. Once they are old enough, we do give them a break & obtain the temps orally. Again, both methods are testing a site INTERNALLY. Don't know about you but I don't want to fight a strapping 10 year old to stick the thermometer up his behind!! Anyway, just my opinion. I'm sure there are people who swear by other methods. This has just been my experience. Good luck & God bless!

[MQ Edna]

Unfortunately...and I don't know of a kid that doesn't scream in protest....but rectally is the way to go. I have found it to be the most accurate method. Remember...you're trying to get a read of the body's core temperature; therefore, a rectal temp makes the most sense to me. On my floor, we do rectal temps on all peds patients who are unable to hold the therm in the mouth properly. Once they are old enough, we do give them a break & obtain the temps orally. Again, both methods are testing a site INTERNALLY. Don't know about you but I don't want to fight a strapping 10 year old to stick the thermometer up his behind!! Anyway, just my opinion. I'm sure there are people who swear by other methods. This has just been my experience. Good luck & God bless!

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On second though, I don't want to know the answer to that question.

[EmmaG, RN]

I agree that rectal is going to be the most accurate, but with the patient population I work with (heme/onc), it's usually not even considered. Oral or axillary, but (almost) never rectal.

[TazziRN, RN]

Every time I think of rectal temps I think of someone sticking one of those meat thermometers in a roast to see if it's done yet... Bad image I know... but still. (Rump Roast anyone?)

Oh my..........the mental picture that brings.........