Tympanic Temperature Measurement

Question 1

What is a fever?

Answer 1

Common term used to describe an elevated body temperature resulting from the body’s response to an infection.

Question 2

What is hyperthermia?

Answer 2

Elevated body temperature beyond the normal range due to external factors like environment heart exposure or certain drugs. Typically not a result of the body’s physiological response to an infection.

Question 3

What is hypothermia?

Answer 3

Body temperature below normal range. Typically due to exposure to cold temperatures, could be a result of certain medical conditions or medications (eg. Sepsis, hypothyroidism, hypoglycaemia, beta blockers).

Question 4

How do you start the examination?

Answer 4

7Cs

Question 5

What do you use to clean the thermometer?

Answer 5

Alcohol wipe NOT zappitizer wipes

Question 6

What is the first step of taking the actual measurements?

Answer 6

Position patient comfortable.
Turn on the thermometer.
Place a cover on the end.
Await 3 dashes to indicate probe is ready.

Question 7

How do you place the thermometer in the patient?

Answer 7

Generally pull patient’s ear upward and backward to straight ear canal.
For paeds under 3 - pull ear downward and backward.
Place tip gently and snuggly into the ear canal, direct it towards the opposite temple.
Press and release the start/temperature button.
Maintain the thermometer until a beep signals the completion of the measurement.