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Expect the differences, Oral temperature artifacts, Normal rectal and oral temperature – Exergen Temporal Scanner 2000C User Manual

Page 10: General rule of thumb, According to the american academy of pediatrics

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On a stable resting individual, temporal artery temperature is about the same
as a rectal temperature, and approximately 0.8°F (0.4°C) higher than an opti-
mum oral temperature. However, during fever episodes, the difference can
be much higher, mainly because of the much greater speed of the TA com-
pared to ear, oral, or rectal sites in responding to change in fever.

Normal Rectal and Oral Temperature:

According to the American

Academy of Pediatrics,

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ordinarily, a rectal reading of 100° F (37.8°C) or less,

or an oral reading of 99° F (37.2°C) or less, is considered normal, while higher
readings indicate fever.

General Rule of Thumb:

Rectal temperature is about 2°F (1°C) higher

than underarm, about 1°F (0.5°C) higher than oral temperature.

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Expect the Differences:

Arterial temperature measurement leads all

other methods in identifying fever or falling of an elevated temperature, and
is unaffected by activities of daily
living. Accordingly, it will some-
times be different from other
methods — but accurate.

Oral Temperature
Artifacts:

Oral temperature

can be misleading, and many
individuals with fever can have a
“normal” temperature.

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Mouth

breathing, rapid breathing, and
hot or cold fluids are a few of the
artifacts that can distort the read-
ing, as can inability of the indi-
vidual to cooperate. Accordingly,
comparisons with TA may not be
reliable.

Normal Body Temperature Ranges
at Various Measurement Sites

Oronasal

96.6 - 99.0ºF

(35.9 - 37.2ºC)

Axillary

95.5 - 98.8°F

(35.3 - 37.1°C)

Rectal

97.7 - 100.3ºF

(36.5 - 37.9°C)

Arterial

97.4 -100.1°F

(36.3 - 37.8°C)

Oral

96.6 - 99.5ºF

(35.9 - 37.5°C)

Esophageal

98.4 -100.0ºF

(36.9 - 37.8°C)

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