What are normal ranges for adult body temperature?

The normal range for adult body temperature is generally understood to be between 97°F and 100.4°F. This range accounts for variations due to factors such as the time of day, individual metabolic differences, and the method of measurement (oral, rectal, axillary, etc.).

Temperature can fluctuate within this range due to normal physiological processes, and the upper limit of 100.4°F is particularly noted as the threshold that often indicates a fever in clinical settings. Understanding this range helps healthcare providers monitor for abnormalities and assess patients' health statuses effectively.

The other choices either set the lower limit too low or the upper limit too high, which would not accurately reflect the typical physiological range for healthy adults.