Deck 8: Heat and Cold Therapy

Question 1

The nurse is preparing a hot water bottle for application to an unconscious client with thrombophlebitis in the right leg.Which temperature of the water in the bottle is appropriate for this client?

A)100^°F to 105^°F
B)105^°F to 110^°F
C)105^°F to 115^°F
D)115^°F to 125^°F

Answer 1

105^°F to 115^°F

Question 2

The nurse is instructing the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)to apply a warm compress to the client's knee.Which statement made by the UAP would indicate that further instruction should be given?

A)"I can place the heating pad directly to the client's knee."
B)"I will maintain the proper temperature of the heating pad."
C)"I will inform you of any redness of the skin."
D)"I will report to you when the treatment is over."

Answer 2

"I can place the heating pad directly to the client's knee."

Question 3

The nurse is applying an aquathermia pad to a client complaining of arthritic pain in the right knee.Which filler is appropriate for this unit?

A)Sterile water
B)Normal saline
C)Tap water
D)Distilled water

Answer 3

Distilled water

Question 4

The nurse receives a call from a client who reports a deep,long cut to the left hand sustained while slicing a bagel and asks the nurse what to do.Which action will the nurse direct the client to take?

A)Elevate the arm above the head and apply ice and pressure while en route to the emergency department.
B)Apply heat and pressure en route to the emergency department.
C)Apply ice and elevate the arm.
D)Apply pressure and elevate the arm.

Question 5

The nurse applies a heat pack to the leg of an older adult diabetic client and finds first- and second-degree burns when the pack is discontinued.Place the nurse's priority actions in the proper order of performance.

A)Complete an incident form.Response
B)Notify the nurse in charge.Response
C)Assess the client.Response
D)Provide analgesia as needed if an order exists.Response
E)Document the treatment and outcome.

Question 6

The nurse may safely delegate which activity to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

A)Sterile warm soak to client's infected postoperative wound
B)Application of warm moist soak to client's left leg
C)Determine effectiveness of cold application to reduce client's pain
D)Responsibilities for the application of a warm pack to client's IV infiltrate

Question 7

The nurse is applying a warm moist compress to the client's right calf.Prior to putting the compress in place,which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A)Turn the client onto the left side.
B)Encourage the client to toilet and perform any actions that would require removal of the compress.
C)Turn the client onto the right side.
D)Elevate the head of the bed.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing an ice bag to apply to the client's sprained left ankle.How will the nurse fill the bag?

A)One-third full of ice,and add water to make it more pliable
B)One-half to two-thirds full of crushed ice
C)Completely full to make it last longer
D)One-third to two-thirds full of ice cubes

Question 9

While applying a warm wet soak to the client's left leg,the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)notes a small burn on the inside of the calf.The UAP informs the RN.Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A)"Please notify the health care provider."
B)"Describe the burn in detail,please."
C)"I'll go take a look at it."
D)"Make sure you document it and complete an incident form."

Question 10

The nurse applies a warm moist compress to the client's left wrist.Which item would the nurse exclude from the documentation of the intervention for this client?

A)Assessment of site before and after the application
B)Client's response to the compress
C)Assessment of the site every 5-10 minutes
D)Vital signs before,during,and after the treatment

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with osteoarthritis.Which intervention will the nurse advise the client to do in order to reduce discomfort?

A)Apply ice to the painful joint.
B)Immerse the painful joint in cold water.
C)Apply heat pack once a day.
D)Apply heat to the painful joint several times a day.

Question 12

The nurse recognizes that which of the following items affect the client's physiological tolerance to heat and cold?

A)Body part
B)Race and ethnic origin
C)Size of the exposed body part
D)Intactness of the skin
E)Length of exposure

Question 13

The client calls the nurse into the room and says that the heat pack the nurse applied feels cold,and asks the nurse to turn the heat up on the aquathermia unit.Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A)"I'll turn it up a little at a time and you let me know when it feels warm again."
B)"The doctor wants the aquathermia pad maintained at a specific temperature,so there's no need to change it."
C)"The aquathermia pad still feels warm to me."
D)"Your body has adjusted to the warmth,and is making it feel cooler,but it's actually the same temperature as when it was first applied."

Question 14

The health care provider has ordered heat packs to the lower back of a client with chronic lower back muscle strain.Which nursing intervention has the greatest priority for this client?

A)Frequent assessment of the temperature of the hot pack
B)Placement of a plastic barrier over the pack to allow for better penetration
C)Frequent skin assessment to ensure that the heat is being applied to the correct area
D)Having the client increase his or her fluid intake

Question 15

Which is the most effective way for the nurse to apply an appliance such as a hot water bottle or disposable hot pack to a client?

A)Directly to the client's skin
B)Directly to the client's skin with a towel or blanket wrapped over the appliance to hold it to the leg
C)If possible,have the client lay on top of the appliance
D)Wrap the appliance in a towel and lay it on the site on the client

Question 16

The nurse is providing care to several clients on a medical-surgical unit.Which clients would benefit from the application of heat?

A)Client with muscle spasms in the lower back
B)Client with traumatic injury and bleeding
C)Client with joint contracture
D)Client in pain
E)Client with inflammation

Question 17

The nurse applies an aquathermia heat pack to the client's right leg and removes it after no more than 45 minutes.What is the nurse trying to avoid by completing this action?

A)Vasodilation
B)Rebound phenomenon
C)Heat tolerance
D)Systemic effects

Question 18

The nurse is going to apply a cold compress to a client's lower forearm.What nursing intervention would be indicated?

A)Decrease the length of time the cold compress would normally be applied.
B)Increase the length of time that the compress would be applied.
C)Keep the length of time the same as it would be when applying to other areas of the body.
D)Leave the cold compress in place until it is no longer cool.

Question 19

Many conditions can increase the risk for injury from heat applications.Which clients would be at the greatest risk for injury?

A)A client with a lot of body fat
B)A client being treated for anxiety
C)A client with peripheral vascular disease
D)A malnourished client
E)A client with type 1 diabetes