J Gerontol Nurs
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This pilot study examined whether the occlusion of one ear canal with cerumen affected the usual temperature difference between the ears as measured with an infrared thermometer. Ear-based temperature measurements were made in 14 elderly nursing home residents before and 3 to 4 days after irrigation to clear cerumen from the occluded ear. ⋯ The advantage of removing impacted cerumen before making infrared ear temperature measurements may be offset by the time and inconvenience of the irrigation procedure. Improved hearing may be a more important outcome of cerumen removal, with secondary benefit for temperature measurement.
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1. Gerontological nurses can use accessible and convenient telephone care to provide follow-up services, health counseling, triage and reassurance. 2. Attentiveness to sensory impairments and losses; physical ability; interpersonal factors, culture, and education level is crucial to effective telephone care. 3. Proper documentation is a component of telephone care.