CNA Prometric Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

To ensure accurate oral temperature readings, it's crucial to allow enough time for the patient's mouth to return to a neutral temperature after consuming something cold, like a cold drink. The recommended waiting period is typically around 15 minutes. This timeframe allows the oral cavity to stabilize and reflects a more accurate body temperature, minimizing the impact that the cold drink might have on the reading. If taken too soon after consuming cold substances, the temperature measured may be artificially low, leading to incorrect assessments of the patient's condition. Thus, waiting 15 minutes is standard practice in nursing to ensure the reliability of the oral temperature measurement.