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Rectal Temperature, Normal 100.2° F or Less.

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Subject: Nurse


Author:
Melinda
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Date Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011, 11:03: am
 Hi everyone I'm new here and I found this board by googling rectal temperature and I have some questions regarding some events that I experienced while I was in the hospital recieving IV antibiotics. I searched this board because until the hospital stay I don't ever remember having a rectal temperature. Upon arriving to the ER with a fever I was assessed with an oral temperature which turned out to be relatively high, it was 103.2. After blood work etc they admitted me for IV therapy for the next three days. The doctor told me they would be monitoring my temperature rectally during my stay. I was shocked to say the least but I consented. Now i've seen many of my younger cousins on the receiving end at home and the pediatricians so I know how it's done so when it was my turn it was embarrasing and I felt humiliated and somewhat uncomfortable. What irked me was the way she took it. After adding way to much lube to the probe she inserted it and then she took a cleansing wipe and placed it between my butt cheeks for that time-about 2 minutes. When it was over she pressed the wipe in and pulled out the probe, discarded the cover into the wastebasket and returned the probe into the thermometer. Then she wiped my rectal area with the wipe and left my room. I had to endure this 3 times a day. Is this how they do it because I felt the wiping was unnecessary and embarrassing! Did those nurses go too far? I was too embarrassed to speak up. Any answers or opinions would be kindly appreciated
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Replies:
[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Bill
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Date Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011, 12:01: pm
What was you age when your temperature was taken rectally? I reviewed nurse training on the net wiping the rectal area with a wipe is standard policy.

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[> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Melinda
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Date Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011, 01:37: pm
I am 20. This happened 5 weeks ago. I don't think it's policy but then again I have never had my temperature taken this way. I guess I'm just angry right now. I'm just seeking accurate information but I might not find any here. this site seems like a fetish and fantasy site. I guess I have to deal with it on my own because it's too embarrassing to confide in family and friends.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Corrie
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 12:25: pm
Hi, Melinda...

Did anyone explain to you WHY they needed to take your temp rectally? My mom is an RN with 30+ years working in hospitals. I had her read your initial post. She couldn't figure why unless you were also on oxygen, had other medical indicators that discouraged oral monitoring, or there was some sort of (outdated) protocol in your unit.

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Tim #2
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Date Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011, 11:39: pm
Melinda,
First off, with your age-20- you probably have limited experience with rectal temps. Although this might be a fetish and fantasy website, many of us are of the age where rectal temps were common place. The reason why they had rectal temps taken on you was because rectal temps are also referred to as core body temps. It is the most accurate method of taking temps, even more than oral, ear temps or forehead temps. The reason-it is closest(1 degree) from the body's actual temp. No, the nurse didn't go too far. I think your embarassment comes from the fact that you largely didn't get rectal temps before,even though you have seen them taken on cousins. Rectal temps are nothing to be embarassed about.

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[> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
John
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 12:35: pm
I can't imagine a rectal temp. being taken today, especially on an adult, unless, as was mentioned, the circumstances required it. Medical protocol has changed drastically in the last twenty years. Apparently even children over 2, have their temps. taken by temporal, underarm, or other methods. When I was young, during the 60's, it was common practice for rectal temps. to be taken at home through the teens, or so I've been told. Mine was taken rectally until around age 5, at home and by the doctor.

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
SAM
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 01:09: pm
Here's one for you. I was involved in our nations exploration of space,and I just wanted to pass this tidbit along. During the Mercury program, astronauts flew with rectal thermometers inserted in order to measure deep body temperature. Of course they were not the type that you are use too but a soft flexible type. Melinda, I have heard a rectal temp is more accurate. Is this true? One other question. Why is it that a nurse will do a digital (finger) check,in some cases before an enema? I have read and heard of this. Sam

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Richard
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 01:54: pm
Melinda,
The taking of rectal temperatures is still done, as obviously you found out. Like many posters here expressed; you're probably not use to the practice (yourself) though have seen other family members getting this done. Yes, from your description it seems very intimate in so far as the wiping procedure. What you should have done, was on being advised that you'd have your temperature monitored rectally, you should have questioned the doctor in charge of you care. If you don't mind telling us, what were you seen and admitted for? That may well explain the necessity in the doctor's opinion to have this route used. Was it the ER doctor who told you this, or another doctor?
And again remember many people your age may very well be unfamiliar with this practice. Common many many years ago, it is not so today, but has not been abandoned either. Some of the posters have cited good reasons why, too.

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Melinda
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Date Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011, 04:35: pm
I appreciate everyones answers. I was hospitalized for a staph infection. The doctor in charge of my care informed me that my temperature needed to be closely monitored rectally because it is an area not affected by outside factors. He said my temperature was a determining factor on how well the antibiotics were working. I wasn't happy about it but realized it was important and I'm not upset about the procedure itself, just upset that I was treated like a child. I've read that adults are instructed to turn on their sides but I was told to turn all the way over and felt embarrassed when they wiped the lubricant from my rectal area. I feel that if the nurses just took it and went on their way I wouldn't be upset and I've come to realize that the wiping probably is procedure because they all did it the same. I might put in a complaint about the wiping because after all I wasn't unconscious and could take care of it myself.

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[> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Richard
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Date Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011, 04:50: pm
Melinda,

You're not alone with respect to having your rectal temperature taken at your age (20). True, if you hadn't ever had this done, it no doubt was a very humiliating and embarrassing situation, but as you indicated, necessary as per your doctor. A number of my female friends, some older than you, have also had their rectal temperatures taken, either in ER departments or on wards, and never really had a problem with it.
Very unlikely that you'll have this done again, but in the rare circumstance that you do, at least you'll know what to expect. And one good thing too, and that is, from your description, the thermometer used on you, was an electronic unit, probably a FILAC or IVAC unit, which is less time consuming than an older style glass-mercury rectal thermometer that had to remain inserted in the patient's rectum a minimum of 3 minutes.
But thanks for sharing your experience and concerns with the board and its members,.

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Melinda
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Date Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011, 06:56: pm
Thanks to everyone and I think I got a straightforward answer today. I called the Nurseline provided by my insurance. It wasn't anonymous as I had hoped. I had to give my name, age and insurance info. The nurse told me that rectal temps are still done quite often they are reserved for patients that cannot give consent like the unconscious or mentally disabled. It was warranted in my case because of the high fever. The only place that they are done on a frequent basis is when patients are in the operating room. The wiping is questionable but they are done in some places and especially on females because the lubricant liquifies with prolong contact of body heat. I was wiped to prevent the lubricant from migrating to the vagina which may have caused an infection. It makes sense but next time I'll ask for the wipe to clean myself off. Thank you

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Richard
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Date Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 02:35: pm
Melinda,
Glad you got the answer(s) you sought. Again, your posts were honest and direct and hopefully the responses you received here assisted you in some measure.

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[> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Alex RN
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Date Posted: Thursday, April 07, 2011, 07:26: pm
I am a real RN......with 32 years of experience. Yes...RTs are taken when medically indicated. In all my years of experience, wiping the anal area is NEVER done. The amount of lubricant required is minimal. SO sorry folks.......having your butt cheeks " wiped " is strictly a fantasy. Now.......if a reactal exam is done......wiping is indicated, as the amount of lubricant is more. Same with an enema < maybe >

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
hollie
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Date Posted: Friday, April 08, 2011, 07:02: pm
It is so true what you said. Rectal temps dont require a lot of lube. But when doing a rectal exam and meds rectal yes more lube is required.

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[> [> [> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Melinda
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Date Posted: Saturday, April 09, 2011, 01:15: am
With all due respect Alex RN I'm the one who experienced it and you were not there and as a registered nurse you really should be ashamed of yourself because it is unprofessional for you to be trolling a website like this. I wonder what goes through your head when you are taking the rectal temperature of a patient! Thank god they're not as common anymore, because that's the last thing I would want to worry about when a nurse is sticking a thermometer in my behind! Too bad your supervisor doesn't know or worse yet, your patients, or your wife! At least I've been fotunate enough to experience this for a couple of days-you are pathetic because you make love to that thermometer on a daily basis! By the way this is directed towards Alex RN. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone else.

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[> Subject: Re: Nurse


Author:
Catherine A.
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Date Posted: Friday, April 08, 2011, 06:09: pm
I wondered about this as well. I was in the hospital for a month after being severely injured in a terrible accident and had my temp rectally many times with a probe. (My jaw was wired and I had suffered a head trauma.) Nurses used minimal lubricant. I hardly felt it. It got so routine that the nurses even stopped shooing my husband out of the room.

After returning home a visiting nurse used a glass rectal thermometer. Just a dab or two to remove the lubricant afterwards.

However, from experience, nurses are different in the way they approach patient care.

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