Patient CareQuestion 1 of 100
A medical assistant takes an adult patient's oral temperature and gets a reading of 98.8°F. How should this result be interpreted?
a.Below the normal range; recheck rectally
b.Within the normal adult oral range of about 97.6°F to 99.6°F
c.A low-grade fever that must be reported immediately
d.Invalid, because oral temperature is never used on adults
Explanation
The accepted normal adult oral temperature range is roughly 97.6°F to 99.6°F, with 98.6°F as the traditional average, so 98.8°F is normal. It is neither below range nor a fever, so recheck and immediate reporting are unnecessary. Oral temperature is a standard, acceptable route for alert adults who can hold the probe under the tongue.
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