Question 1

Advantages of moist heat over dry heat include which of the following manifestations? (Select all that apply. )
A)Reduces drying of skin.
B)Softens wound exudate.
C)Does not cause skin maceration.
D)Penetrates deeply into tissue layers.

Accepted Answer

Advantages of moist heat include reduced drying of skin and softening of wound exudate,conforming well to the body area being treated,penetration deeply into tissue layers,and decreased sweating and insensible fluid loss.However,moist heat can cause maceration of the skin with prolonged exposure.

Question 2

Assessment of a patient reveals that the area directly under the heating pad is slightly red.How should the nurse respond?
A)Continue the therapy.
B)Apply a cold compress.
C)Reduce the amount of heat.
D)Remove the pad and reassess in 5 minutes.

Accepted Answer

If skin is reddened and sensitive to touch,the symptoms indicate first-degree burn.Remove the pad and reassess in 5 to 10 minutes.

Question 3

Therapeutic interventions designed to correct hypothermia and progressively raise body temperature are essential to improve patient outcomes.The nurse understands that this is accomplished by correcting acid-base imbalances,body temperature,and which of the following additional clinical manifestations?
A)Coagulopathies
B)Reduction of shearing forces
C)Increase in nerve conduction
D)Reduction in muscle spasms

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic interventions are designed to correct hypothermia and progressively raise body temperature by correcting acid-base imbalances,body temperature,and coagulopathies.Shearing forces,nerve conduction,and muscle spasms do not play a role in the correction of hypothermia and improved patient outcomes.

Question 4

Hot applications are used with caution in which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply. )
A)Pregnancy
B)Laminectomy sites
C)Malignancy
D)Spinal cord injury

Accepted Answer

Caution is used with heat therapy in cases of pregnancy,at laminectomy sites,with spinal cord injury,malignancy,or vascular insufficiency,and near the eyes or testes.

Question 5

Which of the following conditions are best treated with cold therapy? (Select all that apply. )
A)Localized inflammatory responses
B)Hemorrhage
C)Muscle spasm
D)Pain

Accepted Answer

Cold therapy treats localized inflammatory responses that lead to edema,hemorrhage,muscle spasm,or pain.

Question 6

The use of cold (cryotherapy)to treat certain injuries is beneficial because of which of the following effects? (Select all that apply. )
A)Relief of pain
B)Decreased muscle spasm
C)Increased nerve conduction
D)Decreased edema

Accepted Answer

The reduction in temperature creates positive physiological and biological effects,such as pain relief,reduction in muscle spasm,decreased nerve conduction velocity,and decreased inflammation edema,caused by constriction of blood vessels.

Question 7

The patient is receiving cold therapy and complains to the nurse that the area being treated is numb.How should the nurse respond?
A)Continue application of therapy.
B)Stop cold therapy.
C)Apply more ice to the ice pack.
D)Check for moisture on the ice pack,indicating leakage.

Accepted Answer

Stop cold therapy when the patient complains of a burning sensation or when skin begins to feel numb.

Question 8

The nurse is using cryotherapy for a patient with a sprained ankle.The nurse explains the benefits to her patient.Which of the following statements made about the benefits of cryotherapy is correct?
A)It causes vasodilatation.
B)It provides local anesthesia.
C)It increases nerve conduction velocity.
D)It increases blood flow.

Accepted Answer

The reduction in temperature creates positive physiological and biological effects such as pain relief,reduced muscle spasms,decreased nerve conduction velocity,and decreased inflammation edema caused by constriction of blood vessels.

Question 9

When applying a hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket,the nurse should:
A)wrap the patient's hands and feet.
B)monitor the patient's axillary temperature every hour.
C)put the patient directly onto the heating or cooling blanket.
D)place the patient onto the blanket and then start the heating or cooling process.

Accepted Answer

Wrap the patient's hands and feet in gauze.This reduces the risk for thermal injury to the body's distal areas.Monitor the patient's temperature and vital signs every 15 minutes during the first hour and after every 30 minutes of therapy thereafter.Cover the hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket with a thin sheet or bath blanket.Precool or prewarm the blanket,setting the pad temperature to the desired level.

Question 10

When reviewing the documentation of patients on the unit,a nurse determines that one of the patients is at higher risk for injury from a local heat application to an extremity.Which condition poses this risk?
A)Arthritis
B)Renal calculi
C)Pulmonary disease
D)Peripheral neuropathy

Accepted Answer

Patients with diabetes,victims of stroke or spinal cord injury,and patients with peripheral neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis are particularly at risk for thermal injury.Arthritis,renal calculi,and pulmonary disease do not increase the patient's risk for thermal injury.

Question 11

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,which of the following occurs? (Select all that apply. )
A)Vasodilatation
B)Vasoconstriction
C)Perspiration
D)Piloerection

Accepted Answer

Systemically,when the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,vasodilatation and perspiration occur to promote heat loss.As perspiration evaporates from the skin,cooling occurs.In cryotherapy,when the skin is exposed to cool or cold temperatures,the systemic response includes vasoconstriction and piloerection to conserve heat.Shivering occurs in response to cooler temperatures,producing heat through skeletal muscle contraction.

Question 12

If a patient is ordered to receive a cold application for a sprain,the nurse should ensure:
A)a prolonged application time is available.
B)the body part is carefully aligned.
C)a colder temperature is applied.
D)extra packing is available under the cooling device.

Accepted Answer

Keep the injured part immobilized and in alignment.Movement can cause further injury to strains,sprains,or fractures.Cold should be applied directly over the injury.Extreme temperatures can cause tissue damage.After 15 to 20 minutes (or as ordered by the physician),apply clean gloves,remove the compress or pad,and gently dry off any moisture.

Question 13

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot compresses to an open wound?
A)Apply clean gloves.
B)Cover all wound surfaces.
C)Leave the application in place for 30 to 40 minutes.
D)Apply an electrical heating unit directly over the compress.

Accepted Answer

Pack gauze snugly against the wound.Be sure that all wound surfaces are covered by a warm compress.Packing of compresses prevents rapid cooling from underlying air currents.Sterile gloves are used to contact an open wound.Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours.Cover the moist compress with dry sterile dressing and a bath towel.Apply an aquathermia pad or a waterproof heating pad over the towel.

Question 14

The nurse removes an ice pack and notices that the area underneath the ice pack is blue.What action should the nurse take?
A)Reapply the ice pack.
B)Discontinue the use of ice packs.
C)Refill the ice pack to the top.
D)Reapply the ice pack without the wrapping.

Accepted Answer

Do not reapply the ice pack to red or bluish areas;continual use of the ice pack makes ischemia worse.When filling an ice pack,fill the bag two-thirds full with small ice chips.The bag is easier to mold over a body part when it is not full.However,in this case,do not reapply the ice pack.

Question 15

For which patient should the nurse consider an application of cold?
A)Menstrual cramping
B)Infected wound
C)Fractured ankle
D)Degenerative joint disease

Accepted Answer

Cold exerts a profound physiological effect on the body,reducing inflammation caused by injury to the musculoskeletal system.Application of cold is not indicated for the patient with an infected wound,as it reduces blood flow to the area.Application of heat to reduce muscle tension and pain would be more appropriate for the patient with menstrual cramping.The effects of heat application would also be more beneficial for the patient with degenerative joint disease.

Question 16

Which of the following conditions would require using caution in applying cold therapy?
A)Chronic pain
B)Joint trauma
C)Circulatory insufficiency
D)Sprains

Accepted Answer

Conditions that require caution with cold therapy include circulatory insufficiency,cold allergy,and advanced diabetes.Cold therapy is used immediately after direct trauma such as sprains,strains,fractures,or muscle spasms;after superficial lacerations or puncture wounds;after minor burns;with chronic pain of arthritis and joint trauma;with delayed-onset muscle soreness;and with inflammation.

Question 17

The nurse is removing a heating pad and notices that the skin beneath the pad is pink and warm to touch.How should the nurse respond?
A)Keep the pad in place the next time by pinning it with a safety pin.
B)Position the patient next time so that the patient is lying directly on the pad.
C)Document the findings.
D)Put the pad back on for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation from heat exposure increases blood flow to the affected part.Do not pin the wrap to the pad because this may cause a leak in the device.Never position the patient so that patient is lying directly on the pad.This position prevents dissipation of heat and increases risk for burns.After 20 to 30 minutes (or time ordered by the physician),remove the pad and store.Continued exposure will result in burns.

Question 18

If a patient on a hypothermia blanket starts to shiver,what action should the nurse take?
A)Discontinue treatment.
B)Place more padding around the patient.
C)Discuss with the physician the use of a metabolic stimulant.
D)Increase the temperature to a more comfortable range.

Accepted Answer

Adjust the temperature to a more comfortable range and assess whether shivering decreases.If shivering continues,stop treatment and notify the physician.

Question 19

The nurse is explaining to the patient the rationale for the use of dry heat.Which of the following statements indicates understanding of the advantage of dry heat application for the patient?
A)It maintains temperature changes longer.
B)It reduces drying of the skin.
C)It penetrates tissue layers deeply.
D)It conforms better to body surfaces.

Accepted Answer

Dry heat maintains temperature changes longer than moist heat treatments.Moist heat reduces the drying of skin and softens wound exudate.Moist heat also penetrates more deeply into tissue layers and conforms better to the body area being treated.

Question 20

A new staff nurse is assigned to the unit.The charge nurse evaluated that the new staff member knows proper use of the aquathermia pad when the:
A)temperature is set between 95°F and 98°F.
B)water in the reservoir is allowed to run out.
C)pad is covered with a towel or a pillowcase.
D)patient is positioned to lie directly over the pad.

Accepted Answer

Aquathermia pads and heating pads are common forms of dry heat therapy.Both are covered and applied directly to the skin's surface;for this reason,the nurse needs to take extra precautions to prevent burns.In most health care institutions,the central supply department sets the temperature regulators to the recommended temperature,approximately 40.5°C to 43°C (105°F to 109.4°F).Never position the patient so that the patient is lying directly on the pad.This position prevents dissipation of heat and increases risk for burns.

Quiz 42: Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold

Advantages of moist heat over dry heat include which of the following manifestations? (Select all that apply. )

Assessment of a patient reveals that the area directly under the heating pad is slightly red.How should the nurse respond?

Hot applications are used with caution in which of the following conditions? (Select all that apply. )

Which of the following conditions are best treated with cold therapy? (Select all that apply. )

The use of cold (cryotherapy) to treat certain injuries is beneficial because of which of the following effects? (Select all that apply. )

The patient is receiving cold therapy and complains to the nurse that the area being treated is numb.How should the nurse respond?

The nurse is using cryotherapy for a patient with a sprained ankle.The nurse explains the benefits to her patient.Which of the following statements made about the benefits of cryotherapy is correct?

When applying a hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket,the nurse should:

When reviewing the documentation of patients on the unit,a nurse determines that one of the patients is at higher risk for injury from a local heat application to an extremity.Which condition poses this risk?

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,which of the following occurs? (Select all that apply. )

If a patient is ordered to receive a cold application for a sprain,the nurse should ensure:

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot compresses to an open wound?

The nurse removes an ice pack and notices that the area underneath the ice pack is blue.What action should the nurse take?

For which patient should the nurse consider an application of cold?

Which of the following conditions would require using caution in applying cold therapy?

The nurse is removing a heating pad and notices that the skin beneath the pad is pink and warm to touch.How should the nurse respond?

If a patient on a hypothermia blanket starts to shiver,what action should the nurse take?

The nurse is explaining to the patient the rationale for the use of dry heat.Which of the following statements indicates understanding of the advantage of dry heat application for the patient?

A new staff nurse is assigned to the unit.The charge nurse evaluated that the new staff member knows proper use of the aquathermia pad when the: