Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

Which factor could affect the accuracy of an oral temperature reading?

1. Age of the patient

2. Recent physical activity

3. Consumption of food or drinks

4. Previous medical history

The correct answer is: Consumption of food or drinks

The accuracy of an oral temperature reading can be significantly influenced by the consumption of food or drinks prior to taking the measurement. When a patient eats or drinks just before the temperature check, substances such as hot liquids, cold drinks, or even certain foods can alter the temperature in the mouth. Oral temperature readings reflect the thermal condition of the environment in the mouth, so any recent intake of food or fluids can either raise or lower that temperature, leading to a reading that does not accurately represent the core body temperature. Factors such as the age of the patient influence temperature norms and how temperature may fluctuate with age, but they do not directly affect the measurement's accuracy in the moment. While recent physical activity can cause short-term increases in body temperature, this does not have the same immediate impact on the localized temperature in the mouth as food or drink consumption. Lastly, a patient's previous medical history might inform temperature trends but does not affect the precision of the temperature reading itself at the time of measurement.