Axillary temperature is how many degrees cooler than oral temperature?

• A. 0.5F cooler
• B. 1F cooler
• C. 2F cooler
• D. 0F cooler

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the site of temperature measurement affects the reading. Axillary (underarm) temperatures are typically lower than oral temperatures because they reflect heat closer to the skin and are more influenced by ambient temperature, with slower heat transfer from the body's core. On average, axillary readings are about 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit cooler than oral readings. In practice, 1°F cooler is the commonly cited single difference, making it the best choice among standard teaching options. So you’d expect the axillary temperature to read about one degree lower than the oral temperature. Proper technique matters: ensure the axillary probe is centered in the armpit with the arm snug against the body, and follow device-specific timing to get an accurate reading.