The Big Picture
Body temperature tells you how much heat is in the body. The body produces heat and loses heat, and these two processes stay balanced within a safe range when a person is healthy.
Temperature does not stay exactly the same all day. Age, weather, exercise, pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, emotions, stress, and illness affect readings. Temperature is usually lower in the morning and higher later in the day.
You need to know which site to use, how to use the thermometer correctly, and what information to record and report.
Look for Nova Scotia CCA Notes throughout this page for current provincial guidance.
Quick tip: Tap, click, or press Enter on any term with a dotted underline and an ⓘ icon to see its plain-English definition.
Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed
Focus on these core ideas:
- Body temperature means the amount of heat in the body, based on the balance between heat produced and heat lost.
- The main temperature sites are the mouth, ear, underarm, skin, and rectum.
- Each site has its own normal range. Always compare a reading with the correct range for that site.
- Oral, tympanic, and axillary temperatures have different restrictions and measurement rules.
- Support workers are not authorized to take rectal temperatures. A delegated rectal procedure requires proper training and supervision.
- Abnormal temperatures require immediate reporting.
Jump to:
Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know
What Body Temperature Means
Body temperature is the amount of heat in the body. It reflects the balance between heat produced through the client’s metabolic rate and heat lost by the body.
A healthy person’s temperature stays within a normal, safe range. Small changes happen throughout the day.
Temperature changes in response to:
- age
- weather
- exercise
- pregnancy
- the menstrual cycle
- emotions
- stress
Temperature is normally lower in the morning. It rises later in the afternoon and evening.
Illness also affects temperature. Readings above or below the normal range signal illness or another health problem.
Celsius and Fahrenheit
Health care settings measure temperature in Centigrade/Celsius, °C.
Some clients in community settings use thermometers that display Fahrenheit.
To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius:
- Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit reading.
- Divide the result by 1.8.
Example:
97.2°F = 36.2°C
To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit:
- Multiply the Celsius reading by 1.8.
- Add 32.
Common Temperature Sites
Oral
An oral temperature measures temperature in the mouth.
Axillary
An axillary temperature measures temperature under the arm. The word axilla means underarm.
Tympanic
A tympanic temperature measures temperature in the ear.
Skin
Skin temperature is measured from the forehead or temple area.
Plastic strip thermometers measure skin temperature rather than body temperature. They are less accurate than oral, rectal, and ear methods.
Rectal
A rectal temperature measures temperature in the rectum.
This site is rarely used. A nurse or another regulated health care provider performs a required rectal temperature because the procedure involves inserting an instrument into a body cavity.
Role limit: Support workers are not authorized to take rectal temperatures.
If a rectal temperature procedure is delegated, the support worker needs proper training and supervision .
Nova Scotia CCA Note
Sorrentino’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition explains that a rectal temperature procedure may be delegated when the support worker has proper training and supervision.
In Nova Scotia, current CCA standards place more specific conditions on delegation . A delegated task must be employer-approved and assigned by a regulated healthcare professional. It must be identified in the care plan, apply to the specific person or situation, include time restrictions, and include training and competency verification . The regulated healthcare professional determines the required level of supervision. (novascotiacca.ca)
Why this matters in Nova Scotia: Being told that a task is “delegated” does not remove the formal requirements for training, competency verification, care-plan direction, and supervision.
Official source: Continuing Care Assistant Occupational Standards of Practice
Last checked: September 16, 2026
Normal Temperature Ranges
Each body site has its own normal temperature range.
| Site | Typical temperature | Normal range |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth, oral | 37.0°C, 98.6°F | 36°C to 37.5°C, 96.8°F to 99.5°F |
| Ear, tympanic | 37.4°C, 99.3°F | 35.8°C to 38.0°C, 96.4°F to 100.4°F |
| Underarm, axillary | 36.5°C, 97.7°F | 34.7°C to 37.3°C, 94.5°F to 99.1°F |
| Rectum, rectal | 37.5°C, 99.5°F | 35.5°C to 38°C, 95.9°F to 100.4°F |
Check with your supervisor and the care plan to find out which site to use.
Rectal and tympanic readings usually measure one-half to one full degree higher than readings from other routes. At these sites, the thermometer is more likely to be close to more blood vessels, which makes the reading more likely to reflect the client’s core temperature.
Older people generally have lower body temperatures than younger people.
What Affects Accuracy at Each Site
Oral readings
Look for:
- fever
- recent hot or cold food
- recent hot or cold drinks
These activities alter oral readings for a short time.
Tympanic readings
Look for:
- fever
- cerumen, or ear wax
Ear wax sometimes leads to an inaccurate reading.
Axillary readings
Look for:
- fever
- incorrect thermometer placement
- a client who is too thin for an accurate reading
Rectal readings
Look for:
- fever
- thermometer placement into stool
Placement into stool gives an inaccurate reading.
When Not to Take an Oral Temperature
Do not use the oral site when the client:
- is unconscious
- has had surgery or an injury involving the face, neck, nose, or mouth
- has a nasogastric tube
- is delirious, restless, confused, or disoriented
- has paralysis on one side of the body
- has a sore mouth
- has a convulsive disorder
- receives oxygen therapy
- breathes through the mouth and does not keep the lips closed around the thermometer long enough for a reading
The 20-Minute Rule for Oral Temperature
Before taking an oral temperature, make sure the client has not done any of these activities during the previous 20 minutes:
- eaten hot or cold food
- drunk hot or cold fluids
- smoked
- chewed gum
Each activity temporarily affects an oral temperature reading.
Tympanic Temperature
If you cannot use the oral site, the tympanic site is usually the next choice.
A special ear thermometer measures the temperature in 1 to 3 seconds. The quick measurement makes this route useful for children and clients with dementia.
Do not take a tympanic temperature in an ear with:
- drainage
- reported pain
Tympanic Temperature in Children
A child’s ear canal has a different shape from an adult’s ear canal.
For a child:
- Gently pull the ear down and forward.
- Insert the probe .
For an adult, pull the ear up and back to straighten the ear canal during the electronic thermometer procedure.
Axillary Temperature
The axillary site is safe and noninvasive.
The axillary route is used for:
- newborns
- unconscious clients
- uncooperative clients
- infants
- younger children
- older persons
Axillary temperature is less reliable than oral or tympanic temperature. Use it only when the other sites are unavailable for use.
The axilla must be dry before measurement.
Do not use the axillary site immediately after the client has had a bath.
Thermometers
Several types of thermometers are used.
Facilities and agencies commonly use electronic and disposable thermometers. Other options include dot matrix thermometers and temperature-sensitive tape.
Glass thermometers present a safety hazard, so health care settings rarely use them now.
Preventing the Spread of Microbes
Thermometers can spread microbes.
Protective disposable plastic covers usually go over the thermometer before use.
Clean, dry, and store thermometers according to:
- employer policy
- manufacturer recommendations
Some employers require cleaning with a disinfectant such as alcohol before and after use.
Always follow medical asepsis and Standards of Nursing Practice when using thermometers.
Special thermometers are used for patients in isolation. Follow employer policies.
Electronic Thermometers
Electronic thermometers run on batteries. They usually measure temperature within 20 to 50 seconds and show the result on a digital display.
Some models include a handheld unit with a probe inserted into it.
A low battery charge leads to inaccurate temperature recording. After use, return the electronic thermometer securely to its battery charging unit. Make sure the charging unit remains plugged into an electrical outlet.
Electronic thermometers with probes work with different sites when the correct probe is used.
Tympanic thermometers use probes designed to fit into the ear canal.
A tone or flashing light signals when the reading is complete.
Digital Thermometers
A digital thermometer is a one-piece electronic thermometer.
It has:
- a temperature-sensitive tip at one end
- an on/off button at the other end
- a digital temperature display
Some digital thermometers store the last temperature reading in memory.
The battery does not recharge. The device shuts off after about 10 minutes.
Digital thermometers measure oral or axillary temperatures. Insert the thermometer into a protective cover before use.
Home care settings use digital thermometers more often than facilities.
Dot Matrix Thermometers
A dot matrix thermometer is a thin plastic strip with small chemical dots at one end.
Body heat changes the colour of the dots. Each dot changes colour after reaching a certain temperature.
Use dot matrix thermometers for:
- oral temperatures
- axillary temperatures
Do not use them in the ear.
Keep the thermometer in place for about 3 minutes before reading it.
Discard the thermometer after one use.
This thermometer is useful when the caregiver has difficulty reading another type of thermometer.
Temperature-Sensitive Tape
Temperature-sensitive tape changes colour in response to body heat.
Place it on the:
- forehead
- abdomen
The tape shows whether the temperature is normal or above normal. It does not give an exact body temperature.
The colour changes in about 15 seconds.
Discard the tape after one use.
This safe alternative is used mostly for young children who are unable to follow instructions.
Pacifier Thermometers
Pacifier thermometers are electronic thermometers for infants and toddlers. Stores sell them for home use.
A pacifier thermometer has four parts:
- storage cover
- nipple with a sensor
- digital display
- on/off switch
It measures temperature in about 5 minutes.
Using a Pacifier Thermometer
Follow this order:
- Remove the thermometer from its storage case.
- Check the pacifier for cracks or holes. Biting or chewing sometimes damages it. Do not use a damaged thermometer.
- Press the switch to turn on the thermometer.
- Place the pacifier in the child’s mouth. Hold and cuddle the child.
- Read the digital display when the thermometer beeps.
- Clean the thermometer according to employer policy. Do not use boiling water, a dishwasher, or a sterilizer.
- Wipe the thermometer dry.
- Return it to its storage case.
Body Temperature in Older Persons
A person’s metabolic rate decreases with age. As a result, an older person’s normal body temperature range often sits lower than a younger person’s range.
An older client might have a fever even when the temperature appears to fall within a general normal range.
Observe the client for signs of illness. Report signs such as:
- runny nose
- congested cough
- change in energy level
Report these signs even when the client’s temperature seems normal.
Report: Always report a temperature outside the client’s normal range.
Care during the procedure: Promote dignity, independence, individualized care, client preferences, privacy, and safety.
Taking Temperature With an Electronic Thermometer
This procedure covers oral, axillary, and tympanic temperature.
Pre-Procedure
- Identify the client according to employer policy.
- Explain the procedure. For an oral reading, confirm that the client has not eaten, chewed gum, drunk anything, or smoked for at least 20 minutes.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Collect the required supplies:
- electronic or digital thermometer
- correct probe for the chosen site, when the thermometer uses one
- disposable plastic thermometer or probe cover
- tissues
- towel for an axillary temperature
- Plug the probe into the thermometer when using a probe.
- Provide privacy.
Collecting everything first keeps you from leaving the client to retrieve forgotten equipment.
Procedure
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Position the client for an oral, axillary, or tympanic temperature. Proper positioning supports comfort.
- Place a disposable cover over the probe or thermometer tip. The cover reduces pathogen spread.
For an Oral Temperature
- Follow these steps:
- Ask the client to open the mouth and raise the tongue.
- Place the thermometer or probe tip at the base of the tongue.
- Ask the client to lower the tongue and close the mouth.
- Keep the mouth closed during measurement.
- Remind the client not to talk or bite the thermometer or probe.
Breathing through the mouth affects reading accuracy. Biting the thermometer risks breaking it.
For a Tympanic Temperature
- Follow these steps:
- Ask the client to turn the head so the ear faces you.
- Make sure you see the ear canal.
- Do not insert the thermometer into an ear that the client reports as sore.
- For an adult, pull the ear up and back to straighten the ear canal.
- For a child, pull the ear down and forward.
Inserting a thermometer into a sore ear increases the client’s discomfort.
For an Axillary Temperature
- Follow these steps:
- Help the client remove the arm from the sleeve without exposing the client.
- Dry the axilla with the towel. Perspiration interferes with the reading.
- Put the thermometer or probe tip in the centre of the axilla and point it upward.
- Make sure the tip touches the client’s skin.
- Ask the client to place the arm across the chest to hold the thermometer in place.
- Hold the arm in position if the client needs help.
- With a child, holding the child helps keep the thermometer in place and provides comfort.
Movement of the probe affects reading accuracy.
Complete the Reading
- Turn on the thermometer.
- Keep it in place until you hear a tone or see a flashing or steady light that signals completion.
- Remove the probe or thermometer.
- Read the temperature on the display.
- For an axillary temperature, help the client put the arm back into the sleeve.
- Write the client’s name, temperature, and temperature site on your notepad or assignment sheet.
- Use tissue to remove the plastic thermometer cover, or use the eject button for a plastic probe cover.
- Discard the tissue and plastic cover. Use a new plastic cover for each measurement.
- Perform hand hygiene.
Post-Procedure
- Provide for safety and comfort.
- Place the call bell within reach when this step applies.
- Follow the care plan for bed rail use when this step applies.
- Remove privacy measures.
- Clean and store equipment according to employer policy. Return the electronic thermometer to its battery charging unit.
- Perform hand hygiene.
The call bell and bed rail steps do not apply in every community setting.
What to Report and Record
Report and record your actions and observations according to employer policy.
Include the temperature and the site used.
Report: Report an abnormal temperature immediately. An abnormal temperature could indicate an illness or another health issue.
Record the site with the appropriate abbreviation:
- A for axillary
- T for tympanic
- O for oral
Recording the site matters because normal ranges differ between sites.
Actions, observations, and basic assessments are recorded and reported for legal reasons and to keep the rest of the health care team informed.
Nova Scotia CCA Note
In Nova Scotia, measuring vital signs is part of care plan application for a CCA. Current standards state that a CCA measures vital signs, collects data, documents the information, and follows the escalation and reporting indicators specified by a regulated healthcare professional. (novascotiacca.ca)
Nova Scotia also separates a CCA’s observational role from a nursing assessment. A CCA observes and monitors changes that need escalation, but the CCA does not perform the comprehensive evaluation used to make care-planning decisions. (novascotiacca.ca)
Why this matters in Nova Scotia: When taking a temperature, the CCA follows the care plan and documented reporting directions rather than independently deciding what clinical action or care-plan change should follow the reading.
Official source: Continuing Care Assistant Occupational Standards of Practice
Last checked: September 16, 2026
Exam Clue Words
- Do not: When the source lists a condition that rules out a temperature site, do not use that site.
- Only: Use the axillary site only when oral and ear sites are unavailable for use.
- Always: Always report temperatures outside the client’s normal range.
- Immediately: Report abnormal temperatures immediately.
- Follow the care plan: Check the care plan and your supervisor’s direction for the temperature site to use and follow the care plan for bed rail use.
Fast Review
Focus on the facts most likely to get mixed up during review:
- Body temperature reflects the balance between heat produced and heat lost by the body.
- Temperature is normally lower in the morning and higher in the afternoon and evening.
- Oral normal range: 36°C to 37.5°C, 96.8°F to 99.5°F.
- Tympanic normal range: 35.8°C to 38.0°C, 96.4°F to 100.4°F.
- Axillary normal range: 34.7°C to 37.3°C, 94.5°F to 99.1°F.
- Rectal normal range: 35.5°C to 38°C, 95.9°F to 100.4°F.
- Before an oral temperature, avoid hot or cold food, hot or cold drinks, smoking, and chewing gum for 20 minutes.
- Do not use a tympanic site when the ear has drainage or pain.
- For a child’s tympanic reading, pull the ear down and forward. For an adult, pull it up and back.
- Axillary temperature requires a dry underarm and gives a less reliable reading than oral or tympanic temperature.
- Support workers are not authorized to take rectal temperatures. A delegated rectal procedure requires proper training and supervision.
- Report abnormal temperatures immediately and record the site as A, T, or O.
Final Pep Talk
There are a lot of sites, ranges, restrictions, and thermometer types here, so study them in small groups. Focus first on which site to use, when not to use it, and the key reporting rules, then return to the numbers for another review.