How should a mercury thermometer be placed under the arm, and for how long?
The mercury end of the mercury thermometer should be placed at the top of the underarm. Then, clamp it tightly to ensure that the skin of the body is in close contact with the thermometer. The mercury thermometer should be left in place for approximately 5 minutes before being removed. Read the temperature on the mercury thermometer to understand the temperature level. However, it is important to note that before use, the thermometer must be shaken down to below 35 degrees Celsius before taking a measurement.
Measuring body temperature in the underarm with a mercury thermometer takes approximately 4 to 5 minutes. If measuring oral temperature, it takes around three minutes. When using a mercury thermometer to measure body temperature, it is also important to minimize external interference factors. For example, if there is sweat in the underarm, it should be wiped dry before taking a measurement after a short period of time. Additionally, it is not advisable to take a temperature measurement immediately after exercise.
To ensure the accuracy of the mercury thermometer's measurement, it should be left in place for more than five minutes before reading the temperature. The normal body temperature for healthy individuals is generally below 37 degrees Celsius. If the temperature measured in the underarm exceeds 37 degrees Celsius, it can be diagnosed as a fever. Common causes of fever include bacterial and viral infections.
Having a mercury thermometer at home is convenient for promptly measuring temperature and identifying fever symptoms. The accuracy of mercury thermometer measurements is higher than some electronic thermometers, especially when measuring temperatures for children.
