Where is the temporal artery thermometer probe placed during measurement?

• A. Across the forehead near the temple
• B. On the wrist
• C. Center of the forehead, swiped laterally toward the hairline, then touched to the skin behind the client's earlobe.
• D. Under the tongue

Answer: (C)

Temporal artery thermometry reads the arterial temperature by scanning across the forehead to sample heat from the temporal artery. To do this correctly, place the probe at the center of the forehead, then slide it laterally toward the hairline while keeping it in contact with the skin. After reaching the hairline, touch the skin behind the earlobe to complete the measurement. This path ensures the sensor picks up the arterial temperature rather than just skin surface temperature, giving a fast and accurate reading. Placing the probe on the wrist or under the tongue uses entirely different sites and methods, which won’t access the temporal artery or yield the same reading.