How to Take a Temperature

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How to Take a Temperature with BD Digital Thermometers

Tips for using your BD Digital Thermometer

1. Press Button to Turn On the Thermometer
2. Observe Last Temperature Reading (Memory Feature)
3. Observe Thermometer is Ready for Use
4. Take Temperature by Oral, Underarm (Axillary) or Rectal Method
5. Listen for the Completion of BD Accu-Beep® Feature
6. Read Thermometer and Record Result
7. Press Button to Turn Off Thermometer

• How does the Accu-Beep® feature work?
• Will this Digital Thermometer read identically to a BD Glass Thermometer?
• Cleaning Instructions
• Battery Instructions
• Certificate of Lifetime Guarantee

Tips for using your BD Digital Thermometer

Your BD Digital Thermometer is a durable and precise medical device. Here are some helpful hints to help you get the best performance from the product.

1. In oral use, as with all thermometers, KEEP THERMOMETER IN PLACE WITHOUT SHIFTING IT IN THE MOUTH while taking temperature.
2. STAY WITH YOUR CHILD DURING TEMPERATURE TAKING to help assure proper use of the thermometer.

BD Digital Thermometer - probe does not bend.

BD Flexible Digital Thermometer -
AVOID BENDING THE PROBE MORE THAN 45 degrees to prevent possible damage. This thermometer is not a toy!

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Instructions for Use

1. PRESS BUTTON TO TURN ON THE THERMOMETER

A beep signal will sound and, just for a second, the display will read as follows:

This is a "function check" and it means the thermometer is working properly.

AUTOMATIC NIGHT LIGHT DISPLAY - The night light display works automatically as you turn the thermometer on. When turned on, the display will light up for four seconds to illuminate the last temperature taken. When you turn off the thermometer, the display will light up again, illuminating the temperature reading for 4 seconds for easier nighttime reading.

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2. OBSERVE LAST TEMPERATURE READING (MEMORY FEATURE)

The thermometer remembers the last temperature it took. It will automatically show this last temperature after the 1 second function check. If this is the first time you are using the thermometer (or if the thermometer did not record any temperature the last time it was turned on) for a 3 second period it will display:

OR...

A thermometer that was previously used to take a temperature will display that previous temperature reading for 3 seconds. It will look like this:

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3. OBSERVE THERMOMETER IS READY FOR USE

After both the 1 second function check and the 3 second display of the last temperature, the display will start flashing. This flashing degrees ºF indicates the thermometer is ready to take a temperature.

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4. TAKE TEMPERATURE BY ORAL, UNDERARM (AXILLARY) OR RECTAL METHOD

Oral Method:

Place thermometer probe under tongue. Probe tip should rest in "correct area" as shown in diagram. Hold the thermometer in the same spot under your tongue with your mouth closed.

= correct area, x = incorrect areas



 

 

Underarm (Axillary) Method:

(Alternative method for babies or very young children. Although simpler, the axillary method is less accurate and takes longer.)

Make sure the underarm is dry and there is no material between the chest and arm. Point the thermometer upward and place the tip well into the patient's underarm. Fold patient's arm over chest to hold the thermometer in place and keep air away from the underarm.

Many people find hugging the child while taking the temperature helps assure it is taken correctly and also comforts the child. When using this method, hold the thermometer securely in place for 4 minutes (ignore beeps).

Rectal Method:

(Recommended for babies or very young children who breathe through their mouth)

Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a water soluble jelly such as K-Y® Jelly. Do not use petroleum jelly. The patient should lie on his/her side, knees slightly bent. If the patient is a baby, place the infant on its stomach with legs hanging down, either across your knees or at the edge of a bed or changing table. This positions the baby's rectum properly for safe and easy insertion of the thermometer.

With one hand, gently slide the tip of the thermometer no more than 1/2 inch into the rectum. If you detect resistance of any kind, STOP. Hold thermometer in place during temperature measurement. Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally, for sanitary reasons.

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5. LISTEN FOR THE COMPLETION OF BD Accu-Beep® FEATURE

Normally, the steady beep will continue for about one minute, then you will hear the three rapid "completion" beeps. These three rapid beeps confirm that the temperature measurement is complete. At this time the degrees ºF sign will also stop flashing. In axillary use, ignore the completion beeps and leave thermometer in place for a full four minutes.

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6. READ THERMOMETER AND RECORD RESULT

After hearing the three rapid beeps that signal completion, remove thermometer from mouth and read temperature on display; temperature reading will not change while the power remains on. It is advisable to inform your doctor any time a temperature is above 100 degrees ºF.

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7. PRESS BUTTON TO TURN OFF THERMOMETER

If you forget to turn off the thermometer, it will turn off automatically in about 35 minutes.

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How does the Accu-Beep® feature work?

Soon after inserting the thermometer, the thermometer will start to beep once every four seconds. This steady beep, every four seconds, confirms effective temperature taking technique. As long as temperature measurement is progressing properly you will hear the beep every four seconds.

The steady beep, every four seconds, should continue until three rapid "completion beeps" are heard. The "completion beeps" are distinctly different from the steady four second beep.

If the steady beep stops, and you do not hear the completion beeps, this is alerting you to an error in technique. The steady beep and temperature measurement stop if the thermometer is shifted from a "correct" hot area to an "incorrect" cooler area during use. The steady beeps also will stop if the user opens mouth during temperature taking.

If the steady beeps stop, remove the thermometer and turn it off. Then, turn the thermometer on and begin taking a new reading.

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Will this Digital Thermometer read identically to a BD Glass Thermometer?

When used "clinically" (to measure body temperature) this BD Digital Thermometer is designed to provide the same accuracy that you are accustomed to with a BD Glass Thermometer.

Many common digitals provide slightly lower temperature readings when compared to glass, due to the heat lost to the digital thermometer itself during temperature taking. Only BD Digitals provide "Accuracy Assurance™" and compensate for the loss of body heat around the thermometer. BD Digitals match BD Glass when used to measure body temperature.

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Cleaning Instructions

Wash the area extending about 2" from the tip of the thermometer with warm (not hot) soapy water before and after each use; be sure to dry thermometer thoroughly.

OR...

Wipe the area described above with 70% isopropyl alcohol before and after each use. BD Alcohol Swabs are a convenient and hygienic way of cleaning the thermometer. Even if you use a BD Digital Thermometer Probe Cover, follow either of the above two cleaning procedures as an extra precaution.

To make temperature taking more sanitary, use a BD Digital Thermometer Probe Cover every time a temperature is taken.

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Battery Instructions

How do I replace it?

The battery will last for about three years with normal use or approximately 300 hours. When the battery needs to be replaced, the display will show the following sign.

To replace the battery, insert a small flathead screwdriver or coin in the slot located on the back of the thermometer (see diagram). Turn counter-clockwise. Battery cover will lift off.

Replace the old battery with an alkaline type LR41 or a silver oxide equivalent type such as Eveready™ 392, Duracell™ D392 or Maxell™ SR41W. Insert the new battery making sure the positive (+) side is facing the back of the thermometer. Replace cover and turn clockwise to tighten.

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Certificate of Lifetime Guarantee

Becton, Dickinson and Company is committed to assuring that the BD Digital Thermometer is a durable and precise medical device. If you carefully follow the instructions, your BD Digital thermometer should last for years. However, if for any reason (other than abuse or a normal battery replacement) you are dissatisfied with your BD Digital Thermometer, we will replace it for free - for life. If you have any problems with your thermometer, please check the battery before sending it back. This is usually the source of the problem.

Send your thermometer to:
BD Consumer Healthcare
Consumer Services Department
1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417-1883

Or call...
1.888.BD CARES (1.888.232.2737)
www.bd.com

Eveready is a trademark of Ralston Purina Company, Duracell is a trademark of Duraname Corp., Maxell is a trademark of Maxell Corp. of America, K-Y Jelly is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson, BD, logo, Accuracy Assurance and ACCU-BEEP are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company.

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