5
Brush hair aside if
covering the TA area
Place the probe flush
on the center of the
forehead.
Depress the ON button,
Keep depressed
throughout
measurement…
Slowly slide the probe
midline across the
forehead to the hair line
Brush hair aside if
covering ear
Lift probe from forehead
and touch on the neck
just behind the ear lobe
Release button, read
and record
• Display will remain for
30 seconds, before
automatic turn-off.
• To turn off immediately,
press and release
• To restart immediately,
depress button and
continue as above
What you should know before
using the TAT:
• Measure only the side of the head
exposed to the environment. Anything
covering the area to be measured
(hair, hat, wig, bandages) would
insulate the area, resulting in falsely
high readings.
• Slide the thermometer straight across
the forehead, not down the side of the
face. Midline on the forehead, the TA
is about a millimeter below the skin,
whereas at the side of the face, the
TA is much deeper, and measuring
there would result in falsely low
readings.
• When taking a temperature behind
the ear lobe, first push away any
hair, exposing the area. Then, tuck
the thermometer on the neck under
the ear lobe, in the soft conical
depression below the mastoid, (the
place where perfume is typically
applied).
• Wait about 30 seconds before
measuring the same patient again to
avoid excessive cooling of the skin.
• An infant frequently presents with
blankets and clothing covering
the neck area. Since the perfusion
rate is normally strong for infants,
and unless visibly diaphoretic, one
measurement at the TA area is
typically all that is required. Should
you feel the temperature is low,
then push aside any clothing or
blankets covering the neck area for
~30 seconds or so, and repeat the
measurement behind the ear.
Measuring TA Temperature
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