When assessing the temperature of newborns and children, the nurse decides to utilize a temporal artery thermometer. What is the rationale for the nurse's action?
a. It is not affected by skin moisture.
b. It has no risk of injury to patient or nurse.
c. It reflects rapid changes in radiant temperature.
d. It is accurate even when the forehead is covered with hair.
ANS: B
The temporal artery thermometer is especially beneficial when used in premature infants, newborns, and children because there is no risk of injury to the patient or nurse. Temporal artery temperature is a reliable noninvasive measure of core temperature. However, it is inaccurate with head covering or hair on the forehead and is affected by skin moisture such as diaphoresis, or sweating. It provides very rapid measurement and reflects rapid changes in core temperature, not radiant temperature.
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