Final answer:
When taking an oral temperature, it is advisable to wait 15-30 minutes or use another method if the patient has recently eaten, drank, chewed gum, or smoked.
Step-by-step explanation:
When taking an oral temperature, it is recommended to wait 15-30 minutes or use another route if the patient has recently consumed food or drink, chewed gum, or smoked. This is because these activities can affect the temperature reading and give inaccurate results.