Note: In the following situations, it is recommended that you take three temperatures in the same ear. If they differ, use the highest reading.
•Infants in the first 90 days of life.
•Children under three years of age who have a condition such as a compromised immune system and for whom the presence or absence of fever is critical.
•When you are first learning to use the ear thermometer until you are comfortable with the technique and are obtaining consistent readings.
Important: As with any type of thermometer, slight temperature variations ( ± 0.3 - 0.5 °F / ± 0.2 - 0.3 °C) can occur, if con- secutive measurements are taken.
Temperature taking hints
•The right ear reading may differ from the reading taken at the left ear. Therefore, always take the temperature in the same ear.
•The ear must be free from obstructions or excess earwax build- up to take an accurate reading.
•External factors may influence ear temperatures, including when an individual has:
-been lying on one ear or the other
-had their ears covered
-been exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, or
-been recently swimming or bathing.
In these cases, remove the individual from the situation and wait 20 minutes prior to taking a temperature.
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