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Only the tip with the temperature sensor needs to be inserted, which is about 1cm on most thermometers.

Most health care professionals no longer recommend using the rectum for taking a temperature. If you were to accidentally insert the thermometer too far or if your baby gets very squirmy, while taking, for example - you could perforate your baby's rectum.

If your doctor requests a rectal temperate never insert the thermometer more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the rectum. Making sure the baby can't squirm away from you.

With an infant you can leave the baby on his back, bring his legs up as you would when cleaning him off when changing a diaper, insert the lubricated tip of the thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) into the rectum. Many rectal thermometers have a line or mark showing an end point for insertion, you only need the bulb tip inserted into the rectum.

Cupping his buttocks with one hand, them with the palm and fingers of the hand that's holding the thermometer. Don't let go of the thermometer, or it may not stay in place if your baby starts wriggling.

An axillary temperature on a young infant can be taken by removing one sleeve, make sure your baby's underarm area is dry. The bulb needs to be in full contact with his skin, place the thermometer into the fleshy fold in his armpit, bring his arm down and hold the arm firmly in place against your body or bent and folded across his chest. When the thermometer beeps, take it out and read the display.

normal rectal 99.6*F - normal oral 98.6*F - normal axillary 97.6*F

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14y ago
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10y ago

For an infant, about 1/2 inch. for an adult or older child, about 1 to 1-1/2 inches.

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14y ago

past your elbow

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Q: How long do you hold thermometer when measuring rectal temperature?
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Why is it important to hold a thermometer in place while doing a rectal temperature?

Guess: To keep the kid from turning over (so as not to damage the tissues with the glass instrument).


What is normal temp for rat terrier?

A rat terrier's normal temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius). To take your dog's temperature, you'll need a rectal thermometer. Put some petroleum jelly on the bulb of the thermometer. Ask someone to hold your dog's head while you lift his tail and insert the thermometer about an inch or so into the rectum. Do not let go of the thermometer. Hold it in until the temperature is read (about 3 minutes for a mercury thermometer), and then remove gently.


Why should you never hold the bulb end of a thermometer?

If you hold the bulb end, the thermometer will measure YOUR temperature instead of the temperature of the medium that you wish to measure.


Why is it advised not to hold the thermometer by its bulb while reading it?

The temperature of your hand affects the reading of the thermometer.


How do you measure room temperature using thermometer?

-- Bring thermometer into room. -- Wave it around in the air of the room for a minute or two. -- Do not hold the thermometer in your hand or breathe on it. -- Wait a while for the room temperature to get through the thermometer glass. -- Look through the glass at the sliver of liquid inside the thermometer. Find the end of the liquid, and see what number is marked on the glass at the same level. That number is your room temperature.


Would the temperature change on a thermometer if you hold it by the thermometer bulb?

Yes as your fingers are warmer than the air surrounding the thermometer bulb.


Can you use a regular thermometer to take the temperature of a young puppy?

Sounds like your baby needs to go back to the Doctor A.S.A.P.Puppies immune systems are not quite developed at this point, and your little one could be in jeapordy.It's O.k. to use a Regular Thermometer. If you are using a Mercury Thermometer, make sure you shake it.A normal Rectal Temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 Degrees Farhrenheit.Lubricate the thermometer with petrolium jelly like vasaline. You might like to get someone to help you hold your puppy at this point. Lift the tail and insert the thermometer SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY into the rectum. Insert the thermometer about 1 inch and hold in place for about 2 minutes, for the MERCURY THERMOMETER, or until the DIGITAL THERMOMETER BEEPS.If your dog has a body temperature LESS than 99 degrees or OVER 104 degrees Contact your Vet. A High temperature could mean your Dog has an infection or a heat related illness.If your dog has a below normal reading this can be just as serious, indicating other problems such as shock.


What is the purpose of a Thermometer ring stand holder?

Thermometer holder is a tool to hold the thermometer for taking the different reading of the body,liquid, or mass. So this holder helps to hold the thermometer,this holder is made up of such material(cork) so it does not effect the temperature of thermometer.


Where should you put the thermometer to check your 8 month old baby temperature?

It depends on what kind of thermometer you have. If you are simply looking for a general idea, place a themometer under the arm. You need to hold their arm down - which is usually easier if you can lay them down and give them a fun toy to look at. If accuracy is important, a rectal thermometer is best for infants. In that case, be sure to use a thermometer intended for that use. It usually doesn't bother them, and if you can do it when you do a diaper change... they barely notice you are doing anything unusual.


How do you take an 11 year-old's temperature rectally?

When taking a child's temperature rectally, it mostly done with infants or children who cannot sit still long enough with a glass thermometer in their mouth. Taking a rectal temperature on a child older than 2 or 3 years of age is mostly considered inappropriate. Advances in temperature monitoring have made glass thermometers in general, and rectal thermometers specifically, obsolete. Most electronic thermometers, which read the surface temperature of the ear drum or the skin of the forehead, can provide an accurate reading of the internal temperature of the body, without subjecting a child to the dangers of having a fragile glass thermometer filled with mercury (which is highly toxic), inserted into their rectum. If the rectal thermometer is the only means you have to take a child's temperature, use the following guidelines: 1. Have the child lie prone on a bed. 2. Take the rectal thermometer from its protective case, and inspect it closely for any chips, cracks or breakage. If your thermometer displays any imperfection at all, discard and do not use. (Some states have strict guidelines on the disposal of mercury containing thermometers, so be sure to check with your local pharmacy on how to properly dispose of thermometers.) 3. Holding the thermometer firmly at the top (not the mercury bulb end), briskly shake down the mercury so it reads a low temperature. 4. Lubricate the first 1.5 inches of the bulb end of the thermometer with petrolatum or a water soluble lubricant. 5. Using the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand, part the child's buttocks and gently insert the bulb end of the thermometer into the anus, to a depth of no more than 1 inch. Instruct the child to be quiet, hold still as you wait the three minutes to take a reading. DO NOT EVER let go of the thermometer! 6. After three minutes, gently remove the thermometer slowly, and raise it to the level of your eyes to take the reading. Do not shake the thermometer until you have read it. 7. Give the child a tissue or piece of toilet paper to clean up any residual lubricant from the anus. 8. Wipe the thermometer with tissue, and then wash in lukewarm water with soap and rinse well before storing it back into it's protective case.


How do you take a cow's temperature?

You stick a thermometer (one suitable for taking temperature from a human or animal) up the anus and hold it there for around 20 seconds.


What will happen if you hold a mercury thermometer from its bulb?

is it dangeorous to hold a thermometer from its bulb