Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: When to take rectal temperature
• Part 2 of 4: Preparing to Use a Rectal Thermometer
• Part 3 of 4: How to take rectal temperature
• Part 4 of 4: When to Seek Medical Help
• Warnings

A rectal thermometer is commonly used to measure temperature in young children, but this method is also suitable for sick older people. Doctors say rectal temperature readings are most accurate, especially in children under four years old or those who cannot measure their temperature in the mouth. When measuring rectal temperature, you need to be very careful. If you act incorrectly, you can pierce (perforate) the wall of the rectum or cause pain. Here are some tips on how to safely and effectively use a rectal thermometer to measure someone's temperature.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: When to take rectal temperature

1. 1 Watch for symptoms of fever. Fever symptoms include:
   • Sweating and chills
   • Headache
   • Muscle pain
   • Loss of appetite
   • Dehydration
   • General weakness
   • Irritability
   • Hallucinations and confusion (at very high temperatures)
2. 2 Consider the age and condition of your child or elderly patient. For infants under 3 months old, it is strongly recommended to measure rectal temperature. This is because their ear canals are too small for an electronic ear thermometer to be used.
   • When measuring temperature in babies three months to four years old, you can use either an electronic ear thermometer, which is inserted into the ear canal, or a rectal thermometer to measure the temperature rectally. You can also use any digital underarm thermometer (optional), although this method is less accurate.
   • In children over 4 years old, you can measure the temperature in the oral cavity using a digital thermometer, if the child does not mind. However, keep in mind that if the baby is breathing through the mouth due to nasal congestion, the accuracy of the thermometer may be affected.
   • In the same way, when deciding which method to use for an elderly person, it must be borne in mind that his negative attitude towards a particular method can affect the temperature readings.
3. 3 First of all, measure the temperature in the child's armpit (as an option) if he seems to be protesting against the rectal method. You can use any digital oral thermometer for this. If your underarm temperature is above 37.2 degrees Celsius, measure your rectal temperature with a rectal thermometer to get a more accurate reading.

Part 2 of 4: Preparing to Use a Rectal Thermometer

1. 1 Get a rectal thermometer. These types of thermometers are available from pharmacies. Do not use the oral thermometer rectally, as this may result in injury.
   • Rectal thermometers have a protected ball specially designed for the safe determination of rectal temperature.
   • Read the instructions for use for your particular thermometer model.This will let you know how deep it is inserted into the rectum.
2. 2 Try to prevent the sick person from bathing or swaddling (when babies are wrapped tightly to keep them warm) for the last 20 minutes. This can affect the accuracy of the readings.
3. 3 Wipe the tip of the rectal thermometer with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Never use a thermometer that has been inserted into the rectum to measure temperature elsewhere, as this promotes the proliferation of bacteria
4. 4 Apply petroleum jelly to the tip of the thermometer to make it easier to insert.
   • If you prefer to use a disposable thermometer cap, use it. But be careful with it. The cap may come off the thermometer during temperature measurement. After finishing the procedure and pulling out the thermometer, you need to hold it.
5. 5 Place the patient on his stomach, buttocks up. If you are taking a baby's temperature, you can put him on your lap so that his legs hang down or on a changing table.
   • Turn on the thermometer.

Part 3 of 4: How to take rectal temperature

1. 1 Spread your buttocks gently with the thumb and forefinger of one hand to reveal the rectum. With the other hand, carefully insert the thermometer into the patient's rectum 1-2.5 cm.
   • The thermometer should point towards the navel.
   • Stop if you feel resistance.
2. 2 Hold the thermometer in place with one hand on your buttocks. Use your other hand to comfort the patient and do not allow him to move. The patient should lie quietly while the thermometer is inserted so that during this procedure he does not hurt.
   • If the patient moves too much, the thermometer may break, or you may poke it into the rectum.
   • Never leave a child or elderly people unattended with a thermometer in the rectum.
3. 3 When the thermometer beeps or beeps, carefully remove it. Look at and write down the temperature reading. Rectal temperature is usually 0.5 ° C higher than oral temperature.
   • If you have used a disposable cap, make sure to remove the thermometer with it when you take out the thermometer.
4. 4 Clean the thermometer thoroughly before storing it. Use soapy water or wipe the thermometer with rubbing alcohol. Dry it and store it in its packaging so it is ready to use next time.

Part 4 of 4: When to Seek Medical Help

1. 1 Call your doctor immediately if your baby is under 3 months old with rectal temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, even if there are no signs of illness. It is very important. Infants' ability to fight disease is limited because their immune systems are not fully developed. They are more prone to some serious bacterial infections, such as kidney and blood infections, and pneumonia.
   • If your child develops a fever on a weekend or in the evening, go to the emergency room.
2. 2 See your doctor if your 3-6 month old has a temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius or higher. The doctor must be informed, even if no other signs of the disease are visible.
   • See your doctor if your child is over 6 months old with a temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius or higher, even if you cannot detect any other signs of illness.
3. 3 Tell your doctor if a child of any age or older person has a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher. This is considered a high fever and should be consulted by a doctor, even if there are no signs of illness.
4. 4 Call a doctor if a person of any age has a fever for 3 days without any symptoms of illness (cold symptoms, diarrhea, etc.) or if they:
   • Fever accompanied by a sore throat for more than 24 hours
   • signs of dehydration are present (dry mouth, less than one wet diaper in 8 hours);
   • there is pain when urinating;
   • lack of appetite, a rash or shortness of breath;
   • such a condition upon returning from a trip to another country.
5. 5 Get immediate medical attention when a child of any age or adult:
   • a fever with a temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius or higher;
   • fever and clearly shortness of breath;
   • fever and swallowing is so difficult that drooling;
   • fever and remain apathetic or lethargic after taking antipyretic drugs;
   • fever is accompanied by a headache, stiff neck, purple or red spots on the skin;
   • fever and severe pain;
   • fever and signs of febrile seizures;
   • fever is another known disease, especially one that affects the immune system.

Warnings

• Internal injuries can result from rectal temperature measurements. If a person has had rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids and a "fresh" suture in the lower intestine, then the risk of injury is higher.