What is the correct way to take an oral temperature?

The correct method for taking an oral temperature involves placing the thermometer under the tongue and instructing the patient to close their mouth. This technique ensures an accurate reading because the sublingual area under the tongue provides a vascular area that reflects the core body temperature. It is essential for the patient to keep their mouth closed during the measurement to prevent exposure to external air, which could affect the result. Additionally, allowing the thermometer to remain in place for the appropriate duration is crucial to obtaining a stable and accurate reading.

Other methods mentioned, such as placing the thermometer on the forehead or inserting it in the armpit, are not correct for oral temperature measurement, as they correspond to different techniques used for measuring temperatures at different sites of the body. Placing the thermometer on the neck does not provide an accurate representation of core body temperature either, as it does not utilize an interior body site for measurement.