Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Knowing when to take the temperature rectally
• Part 2 of 4: Preparing to use a rectal thermometer
• Part 3 of 4: Taking the temperature rectally
• Part 4 of 4: Get medical attention
• Warnings

A rectal thermometer is usually only used for taking the temperature of a baby, but it can also be used on sick elderly people. According to doctors, rectal temperature measurement is the most accurate, especially in children under the age of four and in people who cannot take the temperature orally. When taking the temperature of someone else rectally, you have to be careful. The thermometer may puncture the rectal wall or cause pain in some other way due to incorrect use of the thermometer. Here are some suggestions on how to safely and effectively use a rectal thermometer to take someone's temperature.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Knowing when to take the temperature rectally

1. Watch for the symptoms of a fever. The symptoms of a fever include:
   • Sweating and shivering
   • Headache
   • muscle strain
   • No appetite
   • General feeling of weakness
   • Hallucinations and confusion (with a very high fever)
2. Take the age and behavior of your child or elderly patient into account. In babies less than three months old, it is strongly recommended to take the temperature rectally. This is because the ear canal in a baby of that age is too small to insert an electronic ear thermometer.
   • For children three months to four years old, you can use an electronic ear thermometer to take the temperature in the ear canal or use a rectal thermometer to take the temperature rectally. You can also use a digital thermometer to take the temperature under the armpit, but this method is less accurate.
   • For children over the age of four who are able to cooperate, you can use an oral digital thermometer to take the temperature orally. You have to check whether the child has to breathe through his or her mouth because of a blocked nose. As a result, the temperature may not be measured properly.
   • With the elderly, you must also take into account the fact that they may not want to cooperate and determine on that basis which method is best to use. Otherwise, you may not be able to take the temperature accurately.

Part 2 of 4: Preparing to use a rectal thermometer

1. Buy a rectal thermometer. You can get this type of thermometer at the pharmacy. Do not use an oral thermometer to take the temperature rectally, as this can cause injury.
   • Rectal thermometers have a rounded end specially designed to safely record rectal temperature.
   • Read your thermometer manual to find out how to use it. If you know how to work with the thermometer, you will not leave the device in the patient's anus for too long.
2. Make sure that the baby or patient has not been bathed in the last 20 minutes or that the baby was not swaddled (this involves a baby being wrapped tightly in cloths to keep warm). As a result, you may not be able to accurately record the temperature.
3. Clean the end of the rectal thermometer with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Never use a thermometer that you used to take the temperature rectally to take the temperature elsewhere, as it can spread bacteria.
4. Spread a little petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer to make it easier to insert it into the anus. If you'd rather put a disposable cover on the thermometer, use that instead of petroleum jelly. Be careful with the case. The cover can slide off the thermometer when you take the temperature. You will have to grasp the cover when you remove the thermometer afterwards.
5. Place the patient on his stomach with his buttocks up. When taking a baby's temperature, you may want to place the baby on your lap so that its legs are in the air. It is also a good idea to put the baby on its changing table.
   • Turn on the thermometer.

Part 3 of 4: Taking the temperature rectally

1. Use one hand to gently spread the buttocks apart with your thumb and index finger so that you can see the anus. With your other hand, gently insert the thermometer 1 to 2 centimeters into the patient's anus.
   • The thermometer should point towards the patient's navel.
   • Stop if you feel resistance.
2. Hold the thermometer in place by placing one hand on the buttocks. Use the other hand to reassure the patient and keep him from moving. It is important that the patient remains still when the thermometer is inserted so that the patient is not injured during the procedure.
   • If the patient moves too much, the thermometer may not work properly or it may pierce the patient's anus.
   • Never leave a baby or elderly patient unattended with a thermometer in the anus.
3. Carefully remove the thermometer when it beeps or gives a signal. Read and write down the temperature. When the temperature is taken rectally, it is usually 0.5 ° C higher than when the temperature is taken orally.
   • When you take out the thermometer, make sure to remove the disposable cover, if you used one.
4. Clean the thermometer thoroughly before putting it away. Use soapy water or apply rubbing alcohol to the thermometer. Dry the thermometer and keep it in its original packaging for immediate use next time.

Part 4 of 4: Get medical attention

1. Call your doctor right away if your baby is less than three months old and his rectal temperature is 38 ° C or higher, even if there are no other signs of illness. This is very important. Your child cannot fight illness properly because his or her immune system is not yet fully developed. Babies are more prone to some serious bacterial infections such as kidney and bloodstream infections, as well as pneumonia.
   • If your baby has a fever on the weekend or in the evening, go to the GP or the emergency room.
2. Call your doctor when your baby is 3 to 6 months old and his temperature is 38.3 ° C or higher. Your doctor should be made aware of this, even if there are no other signs of illness.
   • In children over 6 months old, you should call your doctor if the temperature is 39.4 ° C or higher, even if there are no other signs of illness.
3. Be aware of other situations where you need to contact a doctor. There are certain other situations where you may need to contact a doctor. This depends on the age of the person and the symptoms they have.
   • For a child over 2 years old, call a doctor for a fever of up to 38.9 degrees Celsius with vague symptoms (lethargy, restlessness). Also call a doctor for a temperature over 39.9 that lasts for more than 3 days and when the child is unresponsive to medication.
   • In adult cases, contact a physician for fever if the patient is unresponsive to medication, is 39.4 degrees Celsius, or if the temperature persists for more than 3 days.
4. Watch for a lower than normal temperature in a newborn. If a newborn has a lower than normal temperature, below 36.1 degrees Celsius, you should call a doctor immediately. Young babies may not regulate their temperature properly when they are sick.
5. Call the doctor of a patient of any age if he or she has a fever for 3 days and no other symptoms of illness, such as cold symptoms or diarrhea. You should also do this if a patient:
   • Has a fever and sore throat for more than 24 hours
   • Also shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, less than one wet diaper for 8 hours)
   • Also has pain when urinating
   • Also refuses to eat, has a rash or difficulty breathing
   • Recently returned from a holiday abroad
6. Get medical help right away if a child or an elderly person:
   • Have a fever with a body temperature of 40.6 ° C or higher
   • Have a fever and clearly have difficulty breathing
   • Has a fever and has so much trouble swallowing that he or she is drooling
   • Has a fever and is still drowsy and lethargic after taking fever-reducing medicines
   • Have a fever accompanied by a headache, a stiff neck, or purple or red patches on the skin
   • Have a fever and severe pain
   • Have a fever and also have febrile seizures
   • Have a fever and other medical conditions, especially those that weaken the immune system.
7. Seek adult medical attention if certain symptoms are present. Adults may also need emergency medical attention in some situations. Seek emergency medical care for an adult if they have a fever and:
   • They complain of severe headaches.
   • They have a severe swelling of the throat.
   • They have an unusual rash that gets worse quickly.
   • They complain of a stiff neck and pain when they bend their heads forward.
   • They are extremely sensitive to bright light.
   • They seem confused.
   • They cough stubbornly.
   • They complain of muscle weakness or sensory changes.
   • They have an attack.
   • They seem to have trouble breathing or complain of chest pain.
   • They seem extremely irritable or listless.
   • They have stomach pain when they urinate.
   • You notice other unexplained symptoms.

Warnings

• Taking the temperature rectally can cause internal injury. In general, a person has a higher risk of further injury if he or she is bleeding from the anus, has hemorrhoids, or has had recent surgery on the lower bowel.