An 88-year-old patient had a warm sponge bath 10 minutes ago and a cup of hot tea 5 minutes ago. The nurse needs to assess her body temperature. Which temperature method should the nurse use to assess her temperature?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tympanic method is the most appropriate choice in this scenario because it measures the temperature inside the ear, which is less likely to be affected by external factors such as having a warm sponge bath or drinking hot tea. Oral temperature could be artificially elevated due to the hot tea, and axillary temperature might be influenced by the recent bath. Rectal temperature is generally accurate but can be uncomfortable and less practical for routine checks in an elderly patient.

An 88-Year-Old Patient Had a Warm Sponge Bath 10 Minutes