Deck 42: Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold

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.

Answer 1

Reduces drying of skin.
Softens wound exudate.
Penetrates deeply into tissue layers.

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.

Answer 2

Remove the pad and reassess in 5 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

Answer 3

Coagulopathies

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Question 21

In addition to monitoring the controls on the hypothermia blanket every 30 minutes,the nurse will need to assess the patient's ____________ every 4 hours.

Question 22

___________ exerts a profound physiological effect on the body,reducing inflammation caused by injury to the musculoskeletal system.

Question 23

The ________________ blanket raises,lowers,or maintains body temperature through conductive heat or cold transfer between the blanket and the patient.