Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC) AMCA Practice Exam

When taking a rectal temperature, how long should the thermometer typically be left in place?

1. 10 seconds

2. 30 seconds

3. 1 minute

4. 2 minutes

The correct answer is: 30 seconds

When taking a rectal temperature, it is standard practice to leave the thermometer in place for about 30 seconds. This duration ensures that the thermometer has enough time to provide an accurate reading, as rectal temperatures tend to be slightly higher than oral or axillary temperatures. Measuring for 30 seconds strikes a balance between efficiency and accuracy, allowing the thermometer to stabilize and reflect the true core body temperature. Longer durations, such as 1 or 2 minutes, are generally unnecessary and can increase patient discomfort. While a thermometer may occasionally require longer timeframes in specific clinical situations, 30 seconds is widely accepted as sufficient for most typical uses. On the other hand, shorter durations, like 10 seconds, often do not provide an accurate representation of the body’s core temperature, leading to underreporting of fever or other health conditions.