Patient CareQuestion 23 of 100
A patient's rectal temperature is 100.2°F. What would the approximate equivalent oral temperature be?
a.About 102.2°F, because rectal readings run 2°F lower
b.Exactly the same, 100.2°F
c.About 98.2°F, because rectal readings run 2°F higher
d.About 99.2°F, because rectal readings run about 1°F higher than oral
Explanation
Rectal temperatures average about 1°F higher than oral, so 100.2°F rectally corresponds to roughly 99.2°F orally. Axillary readings run about 1°F lower than oral, in the opposite direction. Because routes differ, readings are not interchangeable and the site must always be documented with the value.
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