Analysis of the effect of lying on the ear on body temperature measurement using a tympanic thermometer.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of lying on the ear on the measurement of body temperature by a tympanic thermometer. METHODS Participants in the study were healthy young people of the Nursing Department of the College of Health, Izmir, Turkey. Sixty-eight participants who agreed to participate, and who had no discharge or infection of the ear and no upper respiratory tract infection, were included in the study. Immediately after the first temperature reading, measurement had been performed five times. Non-probability sampling method was used and the study was conducted in January 2007. RESULTS Tympanic thermometer body temperature results were significantly higher (p < 0.05) when measurements were taken following lying on the ear compared to those when the subject did not lie on the ear prior to temperature measurement. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in tympanic temperature caused by the subject lying on his or her ear. This is important to keep in mind during health workers' assessments.