Rectal Temperatures

For a rectal temperature, ask the patient to lie on one side with the hip flexed. Select a rectal thermometer with a stubby tip, lubricate it, and insert it about 3 cm to 4 cm (1.5 inches) into the anal canal, in a direction pointing to the umbilicus. Remove it after 3 minutes, then read. Alternatively, use an electronic thermometer after lubricating the probe cover. Wait about 10 seconds for the digital temperature recording to appear.

Tympanic Membrane Temperatures

The tympanic membrane shares the same blood supply as the hypothalamus, where temperature regulation occurs in the brain. Accurate temperature readings require access to the tympanic membrane. Make sure the external auditory canal is free of cerumen, which can lower temperature readings. Position the probe in the canal so that the infrared beam is aimed at the tympanic membrane, or otherwise the measurement will be invalid. Wait for 2 to 3 seconds until the digital temperature reading appears.

Temporal Artery Temperatures

This method takes advantage of the location of the temporal artery, which branches off the external carotid artery and lies within a millimeter of the skin surface of the forehead, cheek, and behind the ear lobes. Place the probe against the center of the forehead, depress the infrared scanning button, and brush the device across the forehead, down the cheek, and behind an earlobe. Read the display, which records the highest measure temperature. Industry information suggests that combined forehead and behindthe-ear contact is more accurate than scanning only the forehead.

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