A client's axillary temperature is 100.8°F.The nurse realizes this is outside normal range for this client,and that axillary temperatures do not reflect core temperature.What should the nurse do to obtain a good estimate of the core temperature?

A) Add 1°F to 100.8°F to obtain an oral equivalent.
B) Add 2°F to 100.8°F to obtain a rectal equivalent.
C) Obtain a rectal temperature reading.
D) Obtain a tympanic membrane reading.

Rectal temperatures are most reliable and most accurately reflect the core temperature.Body temperatures,from lowest to highest,are axillary,oral,rectal,and tympanic.For oral,axillary,and rectal temperatures,there is a 1°F degree difference between each site and the next higher one.However,mathematical conversions between sites are not reliable and should be used only when a rough estimate is needed-for instance,to decide whether a reading needs to be validated by another site or another thermometer.Tympanic membrane readings are considered by most to be the least accurate and least reliable.