when taking a rectal reading of temputure in infants, if they poop on the thermomiter is that reading still accurate
2006-11-12 10:32:42 · 16 answers · asked by bluueeyed2 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
when i went to the er last night thats what happened, but they took blood and urine from him and every thing was normal, and because of the temp being at 101.8 they took action not only tylinol but an injection, but before i left i took his temp underarm and he did not have a fever
2006-11-12 10:39:43 · update #1
It should be the correct temperature.
But was it the ER docs that told you to take a rectal temp? Many are advising against this now because ear thermometers are close enough and there's so much risk involved with taking a rectal temp. on a squirmy baby. (They only took ear temps or under arm temps in the hospital when my baby was born.)
I'd leave rectal temps to doctors, but if you've been advised to take the temperature this way make sure you have a rectal thermometer with a flexible tip and wide handles that don't let you insert it more than an inch.
MANY babies are admitted to hospital each year because of perforations. It's dangerous!!
Take care.
2006-11-12 11:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The poop won't make the temperature reading inaccurate.
Taking a temperature rectally is the best way to take a baby's temperature. Nothing else comes close, especially not thermometers used on the skin, like under the arm or on the forehead. Thermometers used in the ears are a little better, but if the doctor already suspects a fever he will use a rectal thermometer in order to get the most accurate reading.
2006-11-12 19:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by blossymom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since everyone else answered to "poop" part of the question, i'll answer the " underarm no fever part" .If you take it under the arm, butt, or mouth , alll 3 temps will be slightly different . Doctors usually do the butt on babys because it is more accurate. I do the but temp when my kids are babys , then once they hit about walking age i do the underarm. so you might not have the same temp as the doc.
2006-11-12 19:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The poop is the same temp as the baby and may even make the temp MORE accurate.
Rectal temp is generally more accurate than others,,be sure that you have a rectal thermometer tho.
2006-11-12 18:40:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wipe off the thermometer and READ it. Yes the poop is body temp. The temperature will go up on a rectal thermometer but not down till you shake or program it! Hope your baby is OK.
2006-11-12 18:35:57 · answer #5 · answered by Barbara H 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It is only natural that the thermometer may end up with poop on it since it's inserted in the anus.
2006-11-12 18:38:05 · answer #6 · answered by mrs.izabel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im not sure but u dont have to do the temp rectal just put the thermomiter in there arm pit.
2006-11-12 18:36:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Well, doctors and nurses at an ER know what they are doing, but why didn't they use an ear thermometer like in the hospital I had to take my daughter to?
That seems odd to me.
2006-11-12 19:10:08 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
nope. Need to take the temp again. Dont forget to clean the thermometer. :-)
2006-11-12 18:34:47 · answer #9 · answered by mrcarl92807 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would think that it would still b accurate but if u take it under the arm and add one degree this is accurate also.
2006-11-12 18:40:23 · answer #10 · answered by do you know me? 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋