Home Health Aide Practice Exam

If a client has just had a glass of iced tea, how long should the HHA wait before measuring the client's temperature?

1. 5 minutes

2. 10 - 20 minutes

3. 30 minutes

4. 1 hour

The correct answer is: 10 - 20 minutes

When measuring a client’s temperature, especially in cases where oral temperature is being taken, it is important to wait after the client has consumed any food or drink. This is because the temperature of the ingested items can influence the reading, potentially leading to inaccurate results. Waiting for 10 to 20 minutes allows enough time for the body to return to its baseline temperature after the external influence of the iced tea. This timeframe is generally accepted in clinical practice, ensuring that the temperature reading reflects the client’s true body temperature rather than an influenced reading. A shorter wait might not allow for full equilibrium to be regained, while waiting longer than necessary could lead to inconvenience for both the client and the caregiver.