TAKING TYMPANIC (EAR) TEMPERATURE: INFRARED THERMOMETER

HOW TO TAKE TYMPANIC (EAR) TEMPERATURE USING INFRARED THERMOMETER

Nursing procedures: taking tympanic ear temperature.

EQUIPMENT

·         Thermometer: Tympanic membrane thermometer with probe cover.
·         Two pairs of nonsterile gloves
·         Tissues

NURSING ACTION:

TAKING TYMPANIC (EAR) TEMPERATURE: INFRARED THERMOMETER

• Review medical record for baseline data factors that influence vital signs. Rationale: Establishes parameters for client’s normal measurements, provides direction in device selection, and helps determine site to use for measurement. Vital signs are measured in the order of temperature, pulse, and respiration (TPR) and blood pressure (BP), usually without interruptions, to provide the nurse with an objective clinical database to direct decision making.
• Explain to the client that vital signs will be assessed. Encourage the client to remain still; refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking; and avoid mouth breathing, if possible. Rationale: Encourages participation, allays anxiety, and ensures accurate measurements. Cold or hot liquids and smoking alter circulation and body temperature. Mouth breathing can alter temperature.
• Assess client’s toileting needs, and proceed as appropriate. Rationale: Prevents interruptions during measurements, communicates caring, and promotes client’s comfort.
• Gather equipment. Rationale: Facilitates organized assessment and measurement.
• Provide for privacy. Rationale: Decreases embarrassment.
• Perform hand hygiene/wash hands, and apply gloves when appropriate. Rationale: Reduces transmission of microorganisms. Hands are washed before and after every contact with a client. Gloves are worn to avoid contact with bodily secretions and to reduce transmission of microorganisms.
• Position client in Sims’ or sitting position. Rationale: Promotes access to ear.
• Remove probe from container, and attach probe cover to tympanic thermometer unit. Rationale: Prevents contamination.
• Turn client’s head to one side. For an adult, pull pinna upward and back; for a child, pull down and back. Gently insert probe with firm pressure into ear canal. Rationale: Provides access to ear canal. Gentle insertion prevents trauma to external canal. Firm pressure is needed to ensure probe will record an accurate temperature.
• Remove probe after the reading is displayed on digital unit (usually 2 seconds). Rationale: Reading is displayed within seconds.
• Remove probe cover and replace in storage container. Rationale: Prevents damage to the reusable probe.
• Return tympanic thermometer to storage unit. Rationale: Recharges batteries of unit for future use.
• Record reading according to institution policy. Rationale: Promotes accurate documentation for data comparison.
• Wash hands/hand hygiene. Rationale: Reduces transmission of microorganisms.

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