Final answer:
The true statement about temperature measurement in children is that the rectal site is preferred in children under 1 month of age. Tympanic thermometry is recommended for kids over 2, while temporal artery thermometry is suitable for all ages. Oral temperature is not the preferred method in children under 5 due to the potential for inaccuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statements regarding temperature measurement in children focus on the preferred methods and accuracy of different thermometry techniques. Among the choices provided, the statement that the rectal site is preferred in children under 1 month of age is true. Rectal thermometry is often considered the gold standard for measuring core body temperature in neonates and infants due to its high level of accuracy. In contrast, tympanic thermometry is recommended for children older than 2 years of age.
Temporal artery thermometry is considered to be accurate and non-invasive, making it suitable for all age groups. It is important to recognize the specificity of each method and age group when measuring body temperature to ensure the most accurate readings. The statement regarding ear (tympanic) temperature being a precise measurement of core body temperature is misleading as this method can be influenced by various factors, including earwax or the presence of an ear infection.
Additionally, contrary to the claim made in statement number 4, the oral temperature is not the preferred method for children under 5 years due to the difficulty that young children may have with keeping a thermometer still in their mouth. Therefore, for very young children, alternate methods such as rectal or temporal artery thermometry are preferred.