True or False: Air seeping into the mouth will interfere with an accurate body temperature reading.

Prepare for the MedCa Medical Assistant Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your certification!

Air seeping into the mouth can indeed interfere with obtaining an accurate body temperature reading when using an oral thermometer. The reason for this is that the thermometer measures the temperature of the blood vessels beneath the tongue, which provide a good representation of core body temperature. If cold air enters the mouth during the measurement, it can lower the temperature detected by the thermometer, leading to an inaccurately low reading. For accurate results, it's important to ensure that the mouth is closed adequately during measurement, preventing air from entering and influencing the reading. Using the thermometer in a controlled environment where external air does not influence the oral cavity helps in achieving a precise temperature measurement.

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