Cleaning a Thermometer

Material needed:

• Thermometer
• Cotton balls or tissue
• Soap and cold water

Procedure:

1. Wash your hands
2. Obtain material listed above
3. Wet cotton ball with soap and water
4. Hold thermometer at stem over sink or wastebasket
5. Begin at stem end. Wash from stem to bulb end, twisting cotton ball firmly
6. Discard used cotton ball
7. Rinse thermometer with a clean, wet cotton ball using the same twisting, downward movement
8. Repeat washing and rinsing
9. Dry with a tissue, wiping in same downward movement
10. Discard tissue
11. Take client's temperature or store thermometer properly