Question

Tympanic temperature is often taken for clients who:

a) Have difficulty breathing
b) Are unconscious
c) Are infants or young children
d) Are elderly

Answer 1

Tympanic temperature measurements are primarily taken for unconscious patients, infants, young children, and the incapacitated using an infrared ear thermometer, which provides a quick, accurate, and infection-safe method.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tympanic temperature is often taken for clients who are unconscious, infants or young children, or those who are otherwise incapacitated and unable to participate in other forms of temperature measurement. This type of measurement uses an infrared ear thermometer, which employs technology originally developed for infrared astronomy. The tympanic, or ear, thermometer measures the infrared energy emitted by the eardrum and nearby tissue, yielding a quick and accurate reading of a patient’s body temperature. Using this technology reduces the risk of cross-infection and is practical for use with newborns, critically ill patients, or in situations where traditional oral thermometers are not feasible.

Developed with the assistance of NASA's Technology Affiliates Program, infrared ear thermometers, like those produced by Diatek Corporation, have revolutionized temperature monitoring, particularly in clinical settings where quick and reliable measurements are crucial. They are lightweight, easy to use, and have become more accurate than traditional alcohol thermometers, whether placed under the tongue or in the armpit.