Tag: Mercury thermometer

A digital thermometer with low batteries can give inaccurate readings. Knowing how to tell if a thermometer is faulty is crucial for reliable health monitoring, as a skewed temperature can lead to incorrect health assessments.

For decades, a universal pre-reading ritual in healthcare was the vigorous wrist flick to shake down a glass thermometer. This seemingly small action is crucial for a specific type of thermometer, but entirely unnecessary and even dangerous for modern alternatives. Discover the definitive answer to **Should you shake down a thermometer before using it?** and learn the correct procedure for every device.

According to Mayo Clinic, glass mercury thermometers are no longer recommended due to the potential for toxic exposure. Safe and accurate temperature taking depends on understanding the correct precautions while using a thermometer, including proper cleaning, handling, and choosing the right type for the situation.