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ear thermometer
Digital ear thermometer
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here to see our selection of Digital ear thermometer.
 Digital
ear thermometers make taking temperatures easy. If you have a squirmy
child (or adult) who just can’t seem to keep an oral thermometer
beneath his or her tongue for the allotted amount of time, try a
digital ear thermometer next time. You can be sure that it will
be much favored over the alternative – a rectal thermometer!
So, how do you use a digital ear thermometer? It is actually rather
easy. Just follow these simple steps:
• Read the directions and warnings that come along with
your digital ear thermometer, and be sure to save them.
• Take the thermometer out of its holder.
• Wipe the thermometer probe with a hot and soapy washcloth,
or a cleaning pad dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Of course, depending
on your brand of thermometer, you may need only to put on a clean
probe.
• Turn on the thermometer (how you turn it on varies from
thermometer to thermometer.
• Tell the person not to move his or her head (or hold your
child’s head still).
• Do not force the digital ear thermometer into the ear!
• Instead, gently rock it back and forth into the ear canal.
• Be aware that this could be painful if there is swelling
in the ear – be very gentle.
• Listen for your digital ear thermometer to beep –
some have a continual beep just to let you know they are working,
then a louder beep at the end. Again, be sure to read the manual
that comes with your thermometer to let you know what different
beeps mean.
• Remove the thermometer from the ear.
• If your thermometer reads that there was an error, it
simply did not get a good reading, and you will have to try again.
Be sure to get good contact with the ear canal.
• Most digital ear thermometers come with a chart that you
can check to see what your temperature should be, and what a high
temperature or dangerous temperature is.
• Clean your probe in the same way as before (it is best
to make sure it stays very clean!)
• Place the digital ear thermometer back into the holder.
Other information on digital ear thermometers:
• An ear temperature is called a tympanic membrane temperature
(the tympanic membrane is the ear drum).
• Using a digital ear thermometer is a very quick process
(one of the reasons why it is the best way to take the temperature
of a child).
• If you have an ear infection, you may not get an accurate
reading.
• If you have a lot of ear wax in your ear, you may not
get an accurate reading.
• Know that many digital ear thermometers can also be used
rectally or under the arm – it is best to use it in just
one place and/or to be sure to thoroughly clean it before and
after each use.
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