a. Mouth. A temperature taken by placing a thermometer in the patient's mouth
is called an oral temperature. Most of the temperatures taken in a medical facility are
oral temperatures. A thermometer designed for taking an oral temperature is called an
oral thermometer.
b. Armpit. A temperature taken by placing a thermometer under the patient's
arm in his armpit area is called an axillary temperature. A thermometer designed for
taking oral temperatures is also used to take axillary temperatures.
c. Rectum. A temperature taken by holding a thermometer within the patient's
rectum is called a rectal temperature. A thermometer designed for taking a rectal
temperature is called a rectal thermometer.
2-15. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORAL THERMOMETER AND A
RECTAL THERMOMETER?
a. Glass Oral Thermometers.
(1) The bulb of an oral thermometer is either long tipped, pear-shaped, or
stubby (figure 2-5 A ). A long and slender bulb exposes as much surface area of the
mercury as possible. Having more surface area exposed helps obtain an accurate
temperature quickly.
Figure 2-5. Oral and rectal glass thermometers.
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