Taking Baby's Temperature Using a Rectal Thermometer

Here's a great article I found about using a Rectal Thermometer that are made of glass and contained mercury. I know this things are considered unsafe now a days. But in some remote areas, some people do still use this kind of things.

So here are some important guides if you are still using this mercury contained glass rectal thermometer.

If baby seems unduly listless, cries as though  in pain or gives other indications of possible illness, take his temperature rectally. A baby's normal rectal temperature ranges between 36.7º C and 37.5º C (98.6 and 99.6º F). A rectal temperature of 37.8º C(100º F) does not necessarily mean that he is ill. However, a temperature over that is a good indication that he is not well. Being able to take his temperature is, therefore, important, and you should always have a rectal thermometer on hand. A rectal thermometer has a large bulb, and if you are not already familiar with thermometers, be sure to have a druggist or your doctor show you how to read it and how to shake the mercury down.

The mercury should be well down below normal before taking Baby's temperature. Shake it down if it isn't. Put baby oil or petroleum jelly on the bulb end for easier insertion. Your physician will advice you which of the following methods he wishes you to use.

A. Lay Baby on his back on a table or bed. Hold him by his ankles with one hand, raising him slightly. Slip the bulb end of the thermometer in to his rectum about an inch.

B. With a towel on your lap, lay Baby on his stomach. Holding his legs gently but firmly, press the buttocks apart and insert the bulb end of the thermometer about an inch.

DO NOT LEAVE BABY ALONE OR LET GO OF THE THERMOMETER WHILE IT IS IN HIS RECTUM. Hold it there for three minutes, then take it out. The mercury wont slip down in the thermometer, so you can put it in a safe place while you put Baby back to bed.

Even if the thermometer used in the article is a Rectal Thermometer that are made of glass and contained mercury. You can still apply some of the guide in the article with a Rectal Thermometer that are digital.

Knowing The Pro's and Con's of your Thermometer

There's no single way to take your child's temperature, but some methods are more precise than others.

METHOD:

Rectal

ACCURACY:

The Highest

PRO:

It's the best choice for kids up to age three or whenever an exact reading is critical.

CON:

Older kids don't like it.

TIP:

Have you child lie across your lap or in his back with his legs up

METHOD:

Oral

ACCURACY:

Good

PRO:

Most kids four and older can use them correctly, and there's no need to remove their clothing

CON:

The reading can be thrown off if your child doesn't keep the thermometer under her tongue until it beeps.

TIP:

If she's just had a hot or cold drink wait 15 minutes.

METHOD:

Armpit

ACCURACY:

Adequate

PRO:

It's very easy to use.

CON:

If the room is chilly, you may get false or low reading.

TIP:

Many doctors recommend adding 0.5 degree Celsius to the reading for greater accuracy.

METHOD:

Ear

ACCURACY:

Varies

PRO:

It's fast and convenient

CON:

Doctors say the tip is difficult to insert properly, especially for kids under one.

TIP:

For a more precise result, pull child's ear slightly up and back before inserting.

METHOD:

Forehead

ACCURACY:

Varies

PRO:

Temporal artery models record the temperature in seconds and are comfortable for kids.

CON:

It's the most costly type of thermometer.

TIP:

It must be slid midway between the eyebrows and upper hairline for an accurate reading.

Mercury Containing Glass Thermometer

I don't know why, some nurses( well student nurses use these types of thermometer) before when Keona was admitted to the hospital student nurses who go on their rounds to check on Keona, uses the Glass thermometer to check her temperature. I always stop them when they want to check her temp, and would lend them my digital thermometer, because I know its safe and fast in getting the result. My brother who is a nursing graduate would tell me that its part of the training for a student nurse to use that type of thermometer (but common, its the modern times now, and using that primitive device can cause more injury, I have found on a magazine that recent study in Pediatric Emergency Care found out that 84% had broken glass on their mouth or rectum, which is caused by using this thermometer). So if your still using the Mercury Containing Glass Thermometer better change to digital, it may be a little expensive, but what is additional expense compared to the safety of your child.