What is the correct way to measure temperature using an oral thermometer?

Measuring temperature accurately is crucial for assessing a patient's health status, and using an oral thermometer properly is an essential skill for medical assistants. The correct method involves placing the thermometer under the tongue, ensuring it is positioned towards the back of the mouth, and then closing the mouth around it. This area allows for a good representation of the body's core temperature because the tongue provides warmth and helps to stabilize the reading.

Using an oral thermometer in this way minimizes the impact of external factors and provides a more reliable temperature measurement compared to other methods. The thermometer typically beeps when it has finished recording the temperature, allowing for an efficient process.

Other methods listed in the incorrect choices either measure temperature in areas that do not reflect core body temperature accurately or are not standard practices for oral thermometry. The underarm measurement, for instance, tends to yield lower temperatures and is not as precise as oral measurements. Using an ear thermometer measures tympanic temperature, which can also be affected by external factors, and holding the thermometer in front of the mouth doesn't allow for an accurate reading since it cannot capture the internal temperature properly. Understanding these differences is important for obtaining reliable and accurate temperature readings.