Tympanic Temperature Procedure

The tympanic temperature is placed snugly in to the client’s outer ear canal. It records temperature in 1 to 2 seconds. Many pediatric and intensive care units use this type of thermometer because it records a temperature so rapidly.

Procedure
• Wash the hands
• Explain the procedure to the client to ensure cooperation and understanding
• Hold the probe in the dominant hand. Use the client’s same ear as your hand (e.g. use the client’s right ear when you use your right hand).
• Select the desired mode of temperature. Use the rectal equivalent for children under 3 years of age Wait for “ready” message to display.
• With your nondominant hand, grasp the adult’s external ear at the midpoint. Pull the external ear up and back. For a child of 6 years or younger, use your nondominant hand to pull the ear down and back.
• Slowly advance the probe in to the client’s ear with a back and forth motion until it seals the ear canal.
• Point the probe’s tip in an imaginary line from the client’s sideburns to his or her opposite eyebrow.
• As soon as the instrument is in correct position, press the button to activate the thermometer.
• Keep the probe in place until the thermometer makes a sound or flashes a light.
• Read the temperature and discard the probe cover. Replace the thermometer and wash your hands.
• Record the temperature on the client’s record.