Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 As an ER Nurse we have found the tympanic (ear) thermometers to be very unreliable. The pediatricians all requested we not use them on their patients and they have been removed from the ER. We usually take oral temps on children about 3 and older and rectal temps on under 3. The main thing is to do it the same way every time so you can establish a baseline and a stable trend. Machell (mom of Jordan , age 12) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 As an ER Nurse we have found the tympanic (ear) thermometers to be very unreliable. The pediatricians all requested we not use them on their patients and they have been removed from the ER. We usually take oral temps on children about 3 and older and rectal temps on under 3. The main thing is to do it the same way every time so you can establish a baseline and a stable trend. Machell (mom of Jordan , age 12) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 I usually find that taking the temp. by mouth is most reliable for us. I do use the ear thermometer too but if I'm unsure I rely on the mouth way. Tracey Mom to Maddie, age 5 Brent, age 9 League City, TX On Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 01:29 PM, shelleyluan@... wrote: > What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it > - arm, mouth, ear, anal? > Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the > ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and > hubby's at 99. > thanks > & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 I usually find that taking the temp. by mouth is most reliable for us. I do use the ear thermometer too but if I'm unsure I rely on the mouth way. Tracey Mom to Maddie, age 5 Brent, age 9 League City, TX On Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 01:29 PM, shelleyluan@... wrote: > What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it > - arm, mouth, ear, anal? > Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the > ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and > hubby's at 99. > thanks > & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 My dad just got out of the hospital with surgery and when I went to visit him in ICU they used a forehead thermometer. It was really cool. They started at his temple and scanned it across his forehead. She told me it was a thermometer that measured using the temporal artery. She thought you could find them at medical supply stores for about $70. It took less than 5 seconds to do and she said it was very accurate. I hadn't ever seen anything like that and I'm pretty sure I'm going to try and track one down (especially since it looks like fevers are going to be pretty regular for us). Dillon, 22 mo. Denton, Texas Thermometer question What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - arm, mouth, ear, anal? Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's at 99. thanks & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 My dad just got out of the hospital with surgery and when I went to visit him in ICU they used a forehead thermometer. It was really cool. They started at his temple and scanned it across his forehead. She told me it was a thermometer that measured using the temporal artery. She thought you could find them at medical supply stores for about $70. It took less than 5 seconds to do and she said it was very accurate. I hadn't ever seen anything like that and I'm pretty sure I'm going to try and track one down (especially since it looks like fevers are going to be pretty regular for us). Dillon, 22 mo. Denton, Texas Thermometer question What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - arm, mouth, ear, anal? Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's at 99. thanks & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 - my son's ped uses one of those and it seems accurate enough. Since we are in the same area, let me know if you find one! Caden (4.5) Brooklyn (1 today!) Coppell, TX --------- Thermometer question What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - arm, mouth, ear, anal? Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's at 99. thanks & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 - my son's ped uses one of those and it seems accurate enough. Since we are in the same area, let me know if you find one! Caden (4.5) Brooklyn (1 today!) Coppell, TX --------- Thermometer question What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - arm, mouth, ear, anal? Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the ear thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's at 99. thanks & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 Thanks everyone for your input. I have always done what you have done, Fran. If the temp is at 105 on the ear thermometer, I take a rectal. I had just never thought about taking Caden's temps when he isn't sick. So I was surprised when the thermometer read 100.4. Caden (4.5) Brooklyn (1) Coppell, TX -------------- Original message -------------- One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 Thanks everyone for your input. I have always done what you have done, Fran. If the temp is at 105 on the ear thermometer, I take a rectal. I had just never thought about taking Caden's temps when he isn't sick. So I was surprised when the thermometer read 100.4. Caden (4.5) Brooklyn (1) Coppell, TX -------------- Original message -------------- One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 I've seen those forehead thermometer at stores like Walmart and Target. I haven't tried them yet. Tracey On Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 02:50 PM, shelleyluan@... wrote: > - my son's ped uses one of those and it seems accurate enough. > Since we are in the same area, let me know if you find one! > > Caden (4.5) > Brooklyn (1 today!) > Coppell, TX > > --------- Thermometer question > > > What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - > arm, mouth, ear, anal? > Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the > ear > thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's > at 99. > thanks > & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 I've seen those forehead thermometer at stores like Walmart and Target. I haven't tried them yet. Tracey On Thursday, August 12, 2004, at 02:50 PM, shelleyluan@... wrote: > - my son's ped uses one of those and it seems accurate enough. > Since we are in the same area, let me know if you find one! > > Caden (4.5) > Brooklyn (1 today!) > Coppell, TX > > --------- Thermometer question > > > What kind of thermometer do you use to check temp? How do you take it - > arm, mouth, ear, anal? > Just curious because Caden is well but has 100.4 temperature per the > ear > thermometer. I take mine and it registers at around 98.5 and hubby's > at 99. > thanks > & Caden (cylic neutropenia or ) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 >>>>So I was surprised when the thermometer read 100.4.>>>> , I take ph's temp all the time! LOL Whenever I think of it! I started when I realized he was cycling.... he started fevering at 6 months every 21 days... just after his third cycle I decided to start charting daily temps... Once we were sent to Shands ... when ph was just under a year... the specialist Dr Sleasman said to continue as this was a good tool to use for diagnosing the specific fever disorder... Gives the specialist that is very familiar with fever disorders a better clinical picture. With kids will not run low grade temps in between episodes... In other disorders kids do.... run low grade temps... sometimes for a much longer period of time than kids with . So when undiagnosed I advise parents to take the temp even when the child is not in an episode!! Hope that makes sense! God Bless, Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 >>>>So I was surprised when the thermometer read 100.4.>>>> , I take ph's temp all the time! LOL Whenever I think of it! I started when I realized he was cycling.... he started fevering at 6 months every 21 days... just after his third cycle I decided to start charting daily temps... Once we were sent to Shands ... when ph was just under a year... the specialist Dr Sleasman said to continue as this was a good tool to use for diagnosing the specific fever disorder... Gives the specialist that is very familiar with fever disorders a better clinical picture. With kids will not run low grade temps in between episodes... In other disorders kids do.... run low grade temps... sometimes for a much longer period of time than kids with . So when undiagnosed I advise parents to take the temp even when the child is not in an episode!! Hope that makes sense! God Bless, Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Hi , Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? Thank you and bye? Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months Re: Thermometer question One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Hi , Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? Thank you and bye? Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months Re: Thermometer question One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for children who go higher. I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little man! As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to 106! In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment of how ph is behaving. Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! Fran Fran A Bulone Mom to ph 5 yrs old Waxhaw, NC Owner & Moderator Group Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 106 F is 41.1 C. Sounds like your thermometer will handle all fevers if it goes to 42 C (or about 107.8 F) just to add a note-we love our ear thermomter. It is instant so even when my girls don't want wnything to do with getting their temps taken, i can still get a reading in a second. As for inaccuracy, I tested it side by side with a mercury thermometer at the beginning, so i know that it is inaccurate at normal temps but highly accurate at higher temps. So when I see 98.0 on the ear therm, I know it means 99.5. I just do the translation every time. I still would recommend it. Wilke Vancouver BC > Hi , > > Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? > > > Thank you and bye? > > Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months > > Re: Thermometer question > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for > children who go higher. > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little > man! > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to > 106! > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment > of how ph is behaving. > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > Fran > Fran A Bulone > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > Waxhaw, NC > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 106 F is 41.1 C. Sounds like your thermometer will handle all fevers if it goes to 42 C (or about 107.8 F) just to add a note-we love our ear thermomter. It is instant so even when my girls don't want wnything to do with getting their temps taken, i can still get a reading in a second. As for inaccuracy, I tested it side by side with a mercury thermometer at the beginning, so i know that it is inaccurate at normal temps but highly accurate at higher temps. So when I see 98.0 on the ear therm, I know it means 99.5. I just do the translation every time. I still would recommend it. Wilke Vancouver BC > Hi , > > Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? > > > Thank you and bye? > > Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months > > Re: Thermometer question > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for > children who go higher. > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little > man! > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to > 106! > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment > of how ph is behaving. > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > Fran > Fran A Bulone > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > Waxhaw, NC > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Hi , Thank you for your kind information.I think that 41.1C underarm means approximately 42 C as rectal.Doesn't it? Begum Re: Thermometer question > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for > children who go higher. > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little > man! > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to > 106! > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment > of how ph is behaving. > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > Fran > Fran A Bulone > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > Waxhaw, NC > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Hi , Thank you for your kind information.I think that 41.1C underarm means approximately 42 C as rectal.Doesn't it? Begum Re: Thermometer question > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a digital for > children who go higher. > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go over 103, > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little infant > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on my little > man! > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only went to > 106! > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my assessment > of how ph is behaving. > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > Fran > Fran A Bulone > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > Waxhaw, NC > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Begum, you stumped me on that one. I know that the rectal measures about 0.5 degrees C over the oral temp, but i'm not sure about how accurate the underarm is. FRAN? > > Hi , > > > > Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until > 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? > > > > > > Thank you and bye? > > > > Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months > > > > Re: Thermometer question > > > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a > digital for > > children who go higher. > > > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go > over 103, > > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little > infant > > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on > my little > > man! > > > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only > went to > > 106! > > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my > assessment > > of how ph is behaving. > > > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > > Fran > > Fran A Bulone > > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > > Waxhaw, NC > > > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Begum, you stumped me on that one. I know that the rectal measures about 0.5 degrees C over the oral temp, but i'm not sure about how accurate the underarm is. FRAN? > > Hi , > > > > Do you know what 106 means as Celcius? Our thermometer shows until > 42 C and we experienced 40.8 C as underarm? > > > > > > Thank you and bye? > > > > Begüm Ata's mom, 21 months > > > > Re: Thermometer question > > > > One thing to remember is if you use an " old " fashioned rectal and oral > > thermometer.... it ONLY REGISTERS to 106... So you need to get a > digital for > > children who go higher. > > > > I always use an ear thermometer... and when I see ph's temp go > over 103, > > I use the rectal I purchased which is digital. When he was a little > infant > > 6,7,8 mths I realized that I could NOT use a normal thermometer on > my little > > man! > > > > As another RN... I never even realized that the mercury therm only > went to > > 106! > > In nursing 101 mannnnnnny years ago we were always taught that rectal is > > most accurate.... But I do not always use it! Just depends on my > assessment > > of how ph is behaving. > > > > Unreal memories of ph's initial days of fevers!! > > Fran > > Fran A Bulone > > Mom to ph 5 yrs old > > Waxhaw, NC > > > > Owner & Moderator Group > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 We typically use an ear thermometer, and it was pretty accurate for the first year or so. Lately, it has been as much as two degrees off at any given time. I was planning to replace it when I read here about the temporal thermometers on this post. Sounds great! I ordered on last night from Amazon.com for $49, so it should arrive within a week or so (just in time for the next fever--ugh!). 's not a big fan of having the thermometer placed in her ear even for a moment, so I'm hopeful that this will be a nice alternative. Thanks to those of you who shared this information. Jamine Mom to... , age 4 , age 2 with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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