What should the CNA do if an elderly resident's temperature reads 100.6 F after sipping hot tea?

The recommended action is to wait for a minimum of 15 minutes to retake the temperature after the resident has consumed hot tea. This is important because the ingestion of hot liquids can temporarily elevate a person's oral temperature. Taking the temperature immediately after consuming hot tea could result in an inaccurate reading, as the heat from the beverage may not have dissipated. Allowing time for the body to return to its normal temperature helps ensure a more accurate assessment of the resident's true temperature.

In clinical practice, it is essential for CNAs to ensure that measurements are precise to provide appropriate care. Recording the elevated temperature immediately might lead to unnecessary concern or inappropriate medical interventions. Similarly, notifying the doctor right away may not be warranted without confirming that the elevated temperature is not simply a temporary reaction to the hot tea. Taking the temperature again immediately would likely yield a similar high reading due to the recent consumption of the beverage, thus not providing a clear picture of the resident's health status.