An RT Has Just Finished Administering an Aerosol Treatment by a Small-Volume

An RT has just finished administering an aerosol treatment by a small-volume nebulizer to a patient who has a serious case of pneumonia. For the past 24 h, the patient has had a fever of 39 to 40° C. Just as the therapist is finishing, a nursing aide comes in to record the vital signs. She uses an electronic thermometer to record an oral temperature of 36.5° C and comments to the patient, "Well, Mr. Jones, you must be getting better because your fever is completely gone." The therapist should:

A) also verbally encourage the patient by saying that he is getting better.
B) totally ignore the situation and continue with the post-treatment assessment.
C) complete the treatment and assessment, record the results in the patient's chart, then go on to the next patient.
D) go to the nursing aide after she leaves the room and tell her that the temperature she recorded is probably not accurate and should be repeated.