Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA Practice Test

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An MA is preparing to collect a pt's temperature via the tympanic membrane. In which of the following locations should the assistant place the thermometer?

  1. Forehead

  2. Mouth

  3. Under the arm

  4. Ear

The correct answer is: Ear

The tympanic membrane temperature measurement is specifically designed to be taken from the ear. This method utilizes an infrared sensor to detect the temperature in the ear canal, which is closely aligned with core body temperature due to the proximity to the hypothalamus. In contrast, taking a temperature at the forehead involves using a temporal artery thermometer, while measuring in the mouth is associated with oral thermometers, and under the arm utilizes axillary thermometers. Each of these locations may yield different temperature readings and are not suitable for tympanic membrane measurements. Therefore, placing the thermometer in the ear is the appropriate and effective method for obtaining a tympanic temperature.

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