Final answer:
The rectal route to take temperature is avoided in the presence of rectal disease, recent surgery, neutropenia, low platelets, agitation, or excessive movement, and alternatives like infrared ear canal thermometers are used.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are specific circumstances when you would not use the rectal route to take a temperature. The rectal route is avoided when a patient has certain medical conditions, such as rectal diseases, or rectal surgery, or when they are neutropenic or have low platelets, which can increase the risk of infection or bleeding.
Additionally, the rectal route should not be used in patients who are extremely agitated or moving excessively, as this can increase the risk of injury. In such cases, other methods of temperature measurement, such as infrared measurements using modern thermometers placed in the ear canal, provide a more comfortable, less invasive, and quicker option.
As referred to, infrared thermometers work by measuring the infrared radiation emitted by the eardrum, which closely approximates the body's core temperature. These devices are particularly noted to be more accurate than traditional alcohol thermometers, which were historically placed under the tongue or in the armpit for temperature readings.