Tympanic temperature is higher than oral temperature by how much?

• A. 1.4F (0.8C) higher
• B. 0.8C lower than oral
• C. 1.0F higher
• D. 2.0F higher

Answer: (A)

Tympanic temperature tends to reflect core body temperature more closely than oral temperature, so it is typically higher. The tympanic reading is usually about 0.8°C (roughly 1.4°F) above the oral temperature. This offset happens because the tympanic membrane is near the brain’s blood supply and less influenced by recent intake, whereas the mouth can be affected by recently eaten or drank items and by breathing patterns. In practice, expect the tympanic reading to be about 1.4°F higher than the oral reading. If there are ear canal issues or improper technique, readings may be inaccurate.