Final answer:
Never measure oral temperature on an unconscious or unable patient, use alternative methods of measurement such as axillary or tympanic thermometers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Never measure oral temperature on a patient who is unconscious or unable to keep their mouth closed, as they may not be able to cooperate or protect their airway properly. The use of an oral thermometer requires the patient to be able to hold the thermometer under their tongue and keep their mouth closed for an accurate reading.
Instead, for patients who are unable to cooperate or protect their airway, other methods of temperature measurement, such as axillary (armpit), tympanic (ear), or temporal artery thermometers, should be used.
For example, if a patient is in a coma or is intubated and cannot close their mouth, an axillary thermometer can be used to obtain an accurate temperature reading.