Which factor can falsely elevate an oral temperature reading?

• A. Recent cold drink
• B. Recent hot drink or meal
• C. Ambient temperature change
• D. Recent physical activity

Answer: (B)

When measuring an oral temperature, the reading reflects the temperature of the mouth’s tissues and saliva. If the mouth has been recently exposed to a hot drink or meal, that heat warms the oral cavity, causing the thermometer to pick up a higher temperature than the person’s true core temperature. That’s why a hot beverage or meal just before taking an oral reading can falsely elevate the result. In contrast, a cold drink would tend to lower the reading, and while ambient temperature or recent activity can influence readings to some extent, they don’t as reliably cause the same immediate, artificial rise as a recent hot substance in the mouth. To avoid this, wait a suitable period after eating or drinking hot items before taking an oral temperature.