Final answer:
The student should use a tympanic thermometer to obtain a child's temperature. It uses infrared technology, is quick, accurate, and reduces the risk of cross-infection. Infrared ear thermometers are based on NASA-developed technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking which type of thermometer should be used for either obtaining a temperature or giving ear drops to a child. The correct answer is to use a tympanic thermometer, which is designed to be used in the ear and utilizes infrared technology to measure the temperature emitted by the eardrum. This method is non-invasive, reduces the risk of cross-infection, and provides rapid and accurate temperature readings, making it ideal for use with newborns, critically ill, or incapacitated patients. Unlike oral thermometers or rectal thermometers, a tympanic thermometer avoids contact with mucous membranes and measures temperature using the same principles of infrared radiation used in astronomy to measure the heat of stars and planets.
Infrared Ear Thermometers and Temperature Scales
Infrared ear thermometers are developed using NASA technology and are more accurate compared to traditional alcohol thermometers, which were commonly placed under the tongue or in the armpit. These modern thermometers provide a quick and more precise measurement in the ear canal. Temperature measurement is essential in healthcare, and these thermometers operate on well-defined temperature scales like Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin, which rely on predetermined reference points like the freezing and boiling points of water.