Which statement correctly describes axillary temperature relative to oral?

• A. Axillary is higher than oral by 1F
• B. Axillary is lower than oral by 0.5F
• C. Axillary is lower than oral by 1F
• D. Axillary is lower than oral by 2F

Answer: (C)

Temperature readings from different body sites don’t line up exactly because some sites are closer to the body's heat core than others. The armpit sits farther from the core and is more affected by ambient conditions, so axillary measurements come out cooler than oral ones. In practice, axillary temperature is about 1°F lower than oral temperature. So if an oral reading is around 98.6°F, an axillary reading would be roughly 97.6°F. This difference can vary a bit (roughly 0.5–1.0°F) with technique and conditions. Axillary measurements are easy and comfortable but may be less accurate than oral (or other core-proximate) sites, so be mindful of placement, dryness, and recent activity or inputs that could affect the reading.