Programs

Blog

Tympanic Membrane Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Procedure

Equipment needed: tympanic thermometer, disposable probe cover, and gloves

  1. Perform hand hygiene and put on gloves.
  2. Get the tympanic thermometer from its base unit and apply a disposable probe cover to the earpiece. Be sure the probe cover is secure and locked into place.
  3. Explain the procedure to the patient and ask for his or her assistance in following directions.
  4. Assist the patient in tilting his or her head away from you, so that the ear is directly facing you. Gently pull up and back on the pinna (outside edge of ear) to straighten the ear canal.
  5. Inspect the ear canal for obvious abnormalities before proceeding. If a physical abnormality is present, stop and report it to the medical professional. You may attempt the procedure in the opposite ear, or choose a different method to obtain the patient’s temperature. Do not attempt to remove earwax from the ear canal.
  6. Place the covered probe into the straightened ear canal.
  7. Press the button on the thermometer to begin measuring the patient’s temperature. Hold the thermometer in place until the device indicates measuring is complete (depending on the device model, it may beep or flash).
  8. Gently remove the thermometer and check the temperature reading.
  9. Eject the disposable probe cover into the waste receptacle and return the thermometer to its base unit.
  10. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
  11. Record temperature, method used (tympanic), date, and time in the patient’s chart.
  12. Alert the medical professional of any changes in the patient’s condition.

Important Information

A tympanic membrane thermometer uses an infrared sensor to measure the temperature of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This type of thermometer is considered an accurate and reliable predictor of a patient’s core temperature because the tympanic membrane’s blood supply is sourced from the carotid artery, which is the same artery that carries blood to the hypothalamus in the brain [1]. However, there are a few situations that can affect the accuracy of a tympanic membrane temperature reading. It is not recommended to use this method if there is a physical deformity of the ear canal, the patient reports ear pain, or excessive earwax, drainage, or sores are present. Tympanic membrane thermometers can be used only to measure tympanic membrane temperatures and should not be used to measure temperatures via the mouth, armpit, or rectum.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658932/

More Resources

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Rectal Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

A rectal temperature provides the most accurate core body temperature reading compared to other non-invasive methods. This makes a rectal temperature desirable; however, this procedure comes with more patient discomfort and more safety risks (bowel perforation, mucosal damage, and/or vagus nerve stimulation) than the other temperature measurement methods.

Orthopneic Position

Patients with respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) find ways to help themselves breathe more easily. This can include sleeping with extra pillows to keep them propped up or leaning forward to ease the work of breathing. The orthopneic position is one forward-leaning position used to help patients breathe comfortably when they are having difficulty.

Measuring and Recording Output from a Urinary Drainage Bag

Accurate measurement of urination (aka, the output portion of intake and output) allows medical personnel to assess kidney and bladder function. Changes in output quantity or quality can reflect health status changes including new-onset infection or renal injury.

Feeding the Patient

Not all patients will need help feeding themselves. Some patients will only need assistance opening cartons or cutting their food. To promote independence, always let the patient do as much as he or she can before assisting. It is vitally important that the nurse’s aide verifies that the patient receives the correct meal tray. Patients may have special diets that play a critical role in their health (i.e., pureed diet, gluten-free diet, food allergies, etc.). Feeding the wrong food to the wrong patient could result in serious complications.

Find CNA Programs in Your State

Find LPN/LVN Programs in Your State

Find Medical Assisting Programs in Your State

Find RN Programs in Your State

Find MSN Programs in Your State

Find NP Programs in Your State

Find DNP Programs in Your State

Graduate-Level Concentrations