Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 1560 of 2368

The nurse is taking a tympanic temperature on a 2-year-old child. How should the nurse position the outer ear?

  1. Gently pull the helix up and back
  2. Pull the earlobe forward
  3. Leave the ear in its natural position
  4. Gently pull the helix down
Show answer

Correct answer: Gently pull the helix down

For an infant or a child under age 3, the helix is pulled down. For an adult or older child, it is pulled up and back.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), General Survey: Tympanic Temperature. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026