Final answer:
The statement is false. Temporal artery thermometers, which utilize infrared technology, are specifically intended for use on the forehead and are not designed to be placed on the neck behind the earlobe, even if the patient is diaphoretic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that if diaphoretic, the temporal artery thermometer probe may be placed on the neck, just behind the earlobe is false. Temporal artery thermometers are designed specifically to measure the temperature over the temporal artery on the forehead. They are based on infrared astronomy technology, similar to that developed by Diatek Corporation and NASA, for measuring the energy emitted by the eardrum. This technology is highly sensitive and has been adapted for medical use because it allows for rapid temperature measurement without contact with mucous membranes, reducing the risk of cross infection. When someone is diaphoretic, or sweating heavily, it can potentially affect the accuracy of thermometers that require skin contact, hence alternative locations like the neck behind the earlobe might be suggested for other types of thermometers, but this isn't the case for temporal artery thermometers which are designed for use on the forehead.