The CNA skill of measuring temperature will likely be tested on your state’s CNA exam. Properly measuring the temperature of residents will be a critical daily task and this skill needs to be successfully mastered.
To learn all the necessary steps for this skill, please watch this CNA Skill Measuring Temperature for a complete demonstration of the skill.
CNA Skill – Measuring Temperature
The process of performing the skill of measuring temperature for a CNA skills exam is as follows:
- Perform the standard CNA beginning tasks. Knock before entering the patient’s room, greet the patient by name, introduce yourself, explain the task you are about to perform, close the privacy curtain, and wash your hands.
- Check the bed brakes and gather your supplies
- Be sure to sanitize the thermometer.
- Place plastic sheath on end of thermometer.
- Turn on thermometer, and place underneath resident’s tongue.
- Leave in place under the thermometer beeps.
- Check the temperature and record it.
- Show your examiner.
- Remove the sheath into the garbage can, and turn thermometer off.
- Clean the thermometer again.
- Be sure to trust your numbers, even if you have to doublecheck them.
- Perform your standard completion tasks – wash your hands, ensure the patient has a clean environment, ask if they are comfortable, give them their call light and close their privacy curtain.
* Please be sure to consult the testing materials provided by the skills test provider in your state to ensure that these steps for CNA Skill Measuring Temperature are in compliance. The procedure in different states and from different test providers can vary slightly and greatly affect your score.