Effect of tachypnea on oral temperature estimation: a replication

The effect of tachypnea on oral temperature measurement was examined in 53 patients in a medical intensive care unit. This study was a replication of Tandberg and Sklar's (1983) study. The effect on rectal/oral temperature difference exerted by normal respiratory rate (20 or less respirations per minute) versus tachypnea (greater than 20 respirations per minute) was studied. A t test demonstrated that mean rectal/oral temperature difference between the groups was significantly different, t = -3.26, df = 49.45, p less than .01, supporting Tandberg and Sklar's findings. The present study found a positive relationship between the variables, r = .33, p less than .05, as did the previous study, r = .49, p less than .001.