How should the mouth be positioned when using an oral thermometer?

The correct positioning of the mouth when using an oral thermometer is to keep it closed. This is important because a closed mouth helps to create an accurate and stable reading by preventing the absorption of external temperature influences from the environment or from the airflow that comes with an open mouth. Keeping the mouth closed ensures that the thermometer is measuring the temperature of the internal oral cavity rather than a potentially distorted temperature influenced by ambient air or saliva.

Inadequately closing the mouth while taking a measurement could lead to inaccurate readings, making it essential to instruct the patient or individual being assessed to close their mouth for optimal results. This practice safeguards the integrity and reliability of the temperature reading obtained from the thermometer.