How to Take an Armpit
Temperature:
 If
you are not comfortable taking a child's rectal temperature,
or if your doctor advises, you may take a baby's or young child's
temperature by putting the glass thermometer in the child's armpit.
For children:
1. Clean
and shake down the glass thermometer as described in the previous
instructions.
2. With
the child sitting on your lap, place the thermometer into the
armpit with the bulb toward the child's back.
3. Hold
the child's arm close to his or her side, keeping the thermometer
firmly in place for three minutes.
4. Remove
and read the thermometer.
For adults:
1. Clean
and shake down the glass thermometer as described in the previous
instructions.
2. Place
the thermometer bulb into the armpit with the bulb facing toward
the back.
3. Keep
the thermometer firmly in place for three minutes.
4. Remove
and read the thermometer.
Because a broken thermometer means exposure to mercury, and
because it takes a few minutes to get a reliable temperature
with a glass thermometer, some people prefer to use a digital
model.
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