Patient CareQuestion 4 of 100
A technician takes an oral temperature and records 98.6°F. Which statement about this reading is correct?
a.It indicates a low-grade fever
b.It is below normal and suggests hypothermia
c.Oral temperature is always 1 degree higher than rectal
d.It is the accepted normal average oral body temperature
Explanation
98.6°F (37°C) is the accepted average normal oral body temperature. Rectal temperatures typically run about 1°F higher than oral, and axillary temperatures run about 1°F lower. A fever is generally defined as an oral temperature of 100.4°F or higher.
Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
Related questions on this topic
- A patient care technician counts a resting adult patient's radial pulse and gets 78 beats per minute. How should this finding be classified?
- What is the normal respiratory rate range for a resting adult?
- According to widely accepted guidelines, a normal adult blood pressure reading is closest to which value?
- A technician is checking a patient for orthostatic hypotension. After measuring blood pressure while the patient is lying down, what is the correct next step?
- A pulse oximeter reads 97% on room air for a stable adult. How should the technician interpret this value?
- A patient with difficulty breathing is most likely to be positioned in which way to ease respiration?
Last reviewed: · editorial process
PrepPass Editorial Team · Verified against NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) Exam · How we review