What should be done to a measurement taken from the axillary area?

When taking body temperature from the axillary area, it is standard practice to add a degree to the measurement obtained. This adjustment is made because axillary temperatures typically reflect a lower body temperature compared to oral or rectal measurements.

The axillary area is less reliable as a core temperature measurement due to factors such as external temperature influences and the positioning of the thermometer. As a result, when a temperature is taken from the axillary area, the number recorded is generally lower than the true core body temperature. Adding a degree helps estimate the actual body temperature more accurately.

This adjustment ensures that the reading is more aligned with the expected normal body temperature range, which typically pertains to other methods like oral or rectal measurements. Therefore, when working with axillary temperatures, adding a degree is the method used to provide a more accurate assessment of the patient's body temperature.