Deck 40: Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold

Question 1

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 1

Remove the pad and reassess in 5 minutes.

Question 2

You are developing evidence-based guidelines for the OR.Of the following methods of warming patients undergoing major surgery, which has been shown to be most beneficial?

A)Placing warm blankets on the patient
B)Using a circulating water device
C)Using a forced air warming system
D)None of the above

Answer 2

Using a circulating water device

Question 3

The nurse is using cryotherapy for a patient with a sprained ankle.She is explaining 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.

Answer 3

It provides local anesthesia.

Question 4

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot therapy to a patient with muscle spasm in response to an acute injury?

A)Apply the source for 20- to 30-minute periods.
B)Allow the patient to adjust the temperature for comfort.
C)Encourage the patient to move the application.
D)Position the patient so that he or she cannot move away from the temperature source.

Question 5

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 was set between 95° F and 98° F.
B)water in the reservoir was allowed to run out.
C)pad was covered with a towel or a pillowcase.
D)patient was positioned to lie directly over the pad.

Question 6

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 7

The nurse is removing a heating pad when she 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)Note the findings because this is a normal finding.
D)Put the pad back on for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Question 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

The nurse is applying an ice pack to the patient's knee.She notices moisture on the outside of the bag.How should the nurse respond?

A)Discard the ice pack because it is leaking.
B)Refill the ice pack to the top.
C)Continue to apply the ice pack.
D)Open the ice pack to allow air inside.

Question 14

If a patient is to receive a cold application for a sprain, he or she should have:

A)a prolonged application time.
B)the body part carefully aligned.
C)a colder temperature applied.
D)extra packing under the cooling device.

Question 15

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
E)None of above

Question 16

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 17

You are explaining to the patient the reason why you are using 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 18

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

A)Chronic pain
B)Joint trauma
C)Circulatory insufficiency
D)Sprains

Question 19

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 20

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 21

Advantages of moist heat over dry heat include which of the following? (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

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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

Question 25

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
E)None of above