Assessment: Body Temperature – Rectal Temperature

Nursing Procedures:

1. Place patient in the "sims" position with upper knee is flexed.
2. Adjust sheet to expose only anal area
3. Place tissues near patient and easy to reach
4. Don gloves
5. Remove rectal thermometer from storage container and cleanse under cool water
6. Wipe rectal thermometer dry with a tissue from bulb's end toward fingertips
7. Lubricate tip of rectal thermometer or probe
8. Grasp the thermometer with dominant hand and separate buttocks to expose anus with non-dominant hand
9. Instruct patient to take a deep breath then insert thermometer or probe gently into anus (infant 0.5 inch, adult 3.5 inch) and if there is a resistance, do not force insertion
10. Leave the thermometer in place as specified by agency policy that usually 3-5 minutes
11. Wipe secretion off glass thermometer with tissue and dispose the tissue in a receptacle
12. Read the result and inform it to patient
13. Hold glass thermometer in one hand, wipe anal area with tissue to remove lubricant or feces with other hand and dispose of soiled tissue, then cover patient
14. Cleanse thermometer by shaking the thermometer down and cleanse glass thermometer with soapy water, rinse under cold water, and return it to storage container
15. Remove and dispose of glove in receptacle, then wash hand
16. Record the result and indicate site as "RT"