OBJECTIVES: Measuring correct temperatures, using correct techniques and equipment is crucial both in pediatric and adult care. Our goal is to compare measured values gained by mercurial, digital, infrared, tympanic and skin(forehead) thermometers to clarify relations between measured temperature and tools used.

METHODS: The study was a quantitative, cross-sectional analysis. Data collection was done at the Sárvár St. László Town Hospital – Nursing and Rehabilitation Department in march, 2016. Non-randomized, purposive sampling method was used to select patients above 25years of age into the sample group (N=50). Exclusion criteria were otitis externa/media, previous ear surgery, use of hearing aid, injury or deformity of the place of measuring. Data collection protocol included 3 measurements and data recording on a cumulative observation sheet. Using MS Excel and SPSS softwares, we have made paired T-test, correlation, ANOVA (p<0.05) besides descriptive statistical analysis.

RESULTS: We found positive, strong correlation between results of mercurial and digital tools in axillary temperatures. (p<0.05). Positive, moderate correlation between tympanic and axillary mercurial, forehead and axillary mercurial, and tympanic and oral mercurial thermometer results (p<0.05). We also found positive, strong correlation between oral digital and oral mercurial thermometer results. (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the objectives of the study we can say that as well as tympanic thermometer, mercurial, digital and infrared thermometers are also reliable in the clinical practice.