Which of These Actions Illustrates the Correct Technique the Nurse

Multiple Choice

Which of these actions illustrates the correct technique the nurse should use when assessing oral temperature with a mercury thermometer?

A) Waiting 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids
B) Leaving the thermometer in place 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile
C) Placing the thermometer in front of the tongue and asking the patient to close the lips.
D) Shaking the mercury-in-glass thermometer down to below 36.6°C before taking the temperature.