Question

The nurse is preparing to assess the client's temperature. Which statements by the nurse indicate the nurse's understanding of temperature assessment?

1) "Not all clients are candidates for assessing temperature via the oral method."
2) "The axillary method of measuring temperature is the most accurate method."
3) "The tympanic temperature is taken with an electronic thermometer using an infrared probe."
4) D. "The temporal artery thermometer is quick and scans over the temporal artery on the forehead."
5) "A rectal temperature may be obtained if the client is comatose, confused, having seizures, or is unable to close his or her mouth."

Answer 1

The nurse correctly understands that oral temperature can't always be measured, tympanic thermometers use infrared technology, and rectal temperature is suitable under certain conditions. However, the axillary method is not the most accurate, and while the temporal method is quick, its precision can vary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's understanding of temperature assessment can be inferred from several correct statements. Statement 1: "Not all clients are candidates for assessing temperature via the oral method." This is true as certain conditions, such as seizures, surgery on the mouth, or if the patient is comatose, may prevent oral temperature measurement. Statement 3: "The tympanic temperature is taken with an electronic thermometer using an infrared probe." Indeed, tympanic thermometers use infrared technology to measure the temperature from the eardrum. Finally, Statement 5: "A rectal temperature may be obtained if the client is comatose, confused, having seizures, or is unable to close his or her mouth." Rectal temperatures are often used when oral temperatures cannot be accurately obtained. However, Statement 2 is incorrect as the axillary method is not the most accurate; the rectal method is often considered more accurate. Statement 4 correctly describes a temporal artery thermometer that scans the forehead, and while it is quick, there is some debate about its precision compared to other methods.