Body Temperature: What Affects The Test
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What Affects the Test
Inaccurate temperature readings can be caused by:
- Not keeping your mouth closed around the thermometer when taking an oral temperature.
- Not leaving a thermometer in place long enough before reading it.
- Not putting the proper thermometer in the right place.
- Not following the instructions for proper use that come with the thermometer.
- A weak or dead thermometer battery.
- Taking an oral temperature within 20 minutes after smoking or drinking a hot or cold liquid.
- Taking a temperature by any method within an hour of exercising vigorously or taking a hot bath.
| Last updated: | March 05, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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