Deck 18: Applying Heat and Cold Therapies

Question 1

An older client with hip pain reports that continuous heat has been the most effective means of relieving pain.After confirming that the client has an order for heat therapy, which method should the nurse select?

A)Hot-water bottle
B)Warming blanket
C)Heating pad
D)Aquathermia K-pad

Answer 1

Aquathermia K-pad

Question 2

The nurse removes an ice pack that was placed on the client's skin 10 minutes ago.For which reason did the nurse remove the pack?

A)The ice melted
B)Skin was mottled
C)Bleeding did not stop
D)Swelling did not improve

Answer 2

Skin was mottled

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a group of clients.For which client should the nurse monitor more closely when using hot or cold therapy? Select all that apply.

A)A 58-year-old with appendicitis
B)A 79-year-old with prostate cancer
C)A 45-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis
D)A 1-year-old with an ear infection
E)A 62-year-old with heart disease

Answer 3

A 58-year-old with appendicitis
A 79-year-old with prostate cancer
A 1-year-old with an ear infection
A 62-year-old with heart disease

Question 4

A client is approved to use a heating pad at home.Which should the nurse emphasize when teaching the client about the use of this device?

A)Use the highest heat setting.
B)Expect the skin around the device to be red.
C)Set a timer for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
D)Apply petroleum jelly to the skin before applying heat.

Question 5

A client asks why a moist cold pack is prescribed for an injury.What should the nurse respond to this client?

A)"Moist cold increases body metabolism."
B)"Moist cold increases blood flow to the area."
C)"Moist cold increases the inflammatory response."
D)"Moist cold penetrates faster and deeper than dry cold."

Question 6

A client is prescribed a heating pad to be placed on the lower back.When should the nurse teach the client to remove the heating pad to prevent rebound phenomenon?

A)The swelling has decreased
B)25 to 30 minutes
C)The discomfort has resolved 4.2 to 3 hours

Question 7

The nurse instructs a client to apply heat to an infected hangnail.Which client statement indicates teaching has been effective?

A)"Heat to the area causes the blood vessels to constrict, concentrating the white blood cells needed to fight infection."
B)"If I apply moist heat to the area, it will decrease the metabolism of the germs that are trying to multiply."
C)"Applying heat will decrease the blood flow and, as a result, will increase my body's ability to fight infection."
D)"My body's ability to fight off infection will be enhanced by allowing more white blood cells to get to the wound."

Question 8

The nurse applies a cooling blanket to a client with a temperature of 105.4°F.Which should the nurse recognize as an indication of therapeutic effectiveness?

A)The client begins to shiver
B)The blood pressure and pulse increase
C)The temperature slowly falls to 100°F
D)The level of consciousness decreases

Question 9

The nurse is reviewing clients scheduled for a whirlpool bath.For which clients should the nurse take special precautions? Select all that apply.

A)A client who has been sedated to undergo a procedure
B)A 70-year-old client
C)A client with a wound that requires debridement
D)A client with physical therapy scheduled
E)An 8-year-old client

Question 10

A client is prescribed warm moist heat application four times a day.Which should the nurse apply directly to the skin area?

A)Dry towel
B)Petroleum jelly
C)Warm moist towel
D)Heat delivery device

Question 11

A client is prescribed a cold compress to the forehead.Which items should the nurse use to make this compress?

A)Towels and bowl of ice
B)Washcloth and dry towels
C)Rubber glove and cool water
D)Washcloth and zip-type plastic bag

Question 12

A client who was lost in the woods hiking has a body temperature of 95°F.Which treatment should the nurse anticipate providing to improve this client's body temperature?

A)Warm soaks
B)Heating pad
C)Whirlpool bath
D)Warming blanket

Question 13

While bathing a client, the nurse finds that the client's previous IV site is tender, and the vein feels hard upon palpation, indicating inflammation.Which should the nurse apply to the site?

A)A cold pack using a glove filled with ice
B)A warm compress using a washcloth dipped in hot water
C)Heat by submerging the arm in a basin of very warm water
D)A refreezable chemical cold pack

Question 14

A client seeks medical attention for a burn located on the lower back.Which question should the nurse ask to determine how the burn occurred?

A)"Were you lying on a heating pad?"
B)"When did you notice you had a burn?"
C)"How close were you standing to the stove?"
D)"What is the temperature of your water heater at home?"

Question 15

A client is prescribed sitz baths after hemorrhoid surgery.What should the nurse do before providing the client with this bath?

A)Apply a clean gown.
B)Ask the client to void.
C)Assess the surgical site.
D)Measure orthostatic blood pressure.

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to apply a warm pack to a client experiencing back spasms.Which should the nurse do before application?

A)Warm the towel in the microwave.
B)Check peripheral pulses for a baseline.
C)Assess the skin for edema and color.
D)Prepare the warm pack using sterile technique.

Question 17

A client receiving a cold pack complains of the skin feeling cold.Which action should the nurse take?

A)Remove the pack.
B)Apply a towel over the pack.
C)Apply another towel under the pack.
D)Replace the pack with another one.

Question 18

A client is prescribed a heat pack to be applied to an area of inflammation on the lower leg.What should the nurse do before placing the pack on the client's skin?

A)Offer the bedpan
B)Measure vital signs
C)Position for comfort
D)Apply a cloth barrier

Question 19

The nurse assesses the skin of a client receiving a heat pack and decides to remove the pack.What skin color did the nurse assess to make this clinical determination?

A)Red
B)Pale
C)Pink
D)Mottled

Question 20

A client with a sprained wrist is prescribed cold therapy.Which should the nurse explain about this treatment as compared to heat therapy?

A)"Cold therapy decreases swelling and pressure on nearby nerves, which helps decrease pain."
B)"Heat therapy decreases swelling by constricting vessels and nerves, which can increase discomfort."
C)"Heat therapy decreases pain by increasing oxygen and nutrients to the injured area."
D)"Cold therapy increases the inflammatory process, which speeds healing and decreases discomfort."

Question 21

A client is prescribed to apply cold therapy to an inflamed area on the leg.Which should the nurse instruct the client to do to prepare a cold pack at home? Select all that apply.

A)Use a refillable bag
B)Apply directly to the area
C)Expel any air from the bag
D)Place ice and water in the bag
E)Fill the bag one-half to two-thirds full

Question 22

A client is prescribed a cold pack to be placed over several arm wounds.Which should the nurse expect to occur after applying this therapy? Select all that apply.

A)Reduced pain
B)Muscle relaxation
C)Decreased bleeding
D)Prevention of edema
E)Increased cellular metabolism