Deck 54: Heat and Cold Applications

Question 1

What is the purpose of moist heat compresses?

A) Controlling hemorrhage
B) Reducing edema
C) Relieving local pain
D) Blocking pain receptors

Answer 1

Relieving local pain

Question 2

A client with a draining wound in the leg and has been prescribed a warm soak. What is the purpose of a warm soak?

A) Loosens scabs and crusts
B) Slows bacterial activity
C) Slows or stops bleeding
D) Reduces swelling in injured tissues

Answer 2

Loosens scabs and crusts

Question 3

What should the nurse teach the client regarding the purpose of a cold compress?

A) Stimulates circulation
B) Reduces swelling
C) Relaxes muscles
D) Relieves stiffness

Answer 3

Reduces swelling

Question 4

What are rationales for the use of heat applications? Select all that apply.

A) Assisting in wound healing
B) Contracting blood vessels
C) Reducing inflammation
D) Raising body temperature to help maintain normothermia
E) Promoting circulation

Question 5

What are rationales for the use of cold applications? Select all that apply.

A) Relieves pain in engorged breasts
B) Eliminates fluid loss in the early treatment of burns
C) Diminishes muscle contraction and muscle spasms
D) Slows the basal metabolism for certain types of surgery
E) A method of initial pain control for burns

Question 6

What are the rationales for the use of cold applications? Select all that apply.

A) Slows or stops bleeding
B) Relieves pain following tooth extractions
C) Reduces swelling in injured tissues, including sprains and fractures
D) Prevents peristalsis in clients with abdominal inflammation
E) Facilitates blood delivery to injured organs.

Question 7

What interventions can be used by the nurse to help a surgical client regain normothermal body temperature? Select all that apply.

A) Hypothermia blanket
B) Dry heat blanket
C) Warmed IV fluids
D) Refreezable ice packs
E) Warming the environment

Question 8

A client has had dry heat ordered for low back pain. What should the nurse do when providing dry heat treatment using an aquathermia pad?

A) Fill the control unit receptacle with tap water.
B) Cover the pad with a pad cover or towel.
C) Add water, then connect the control unit to the pad.
D) Ask the client to lie down on the pad.

Question 9

What should the nurse do when assisting a client with a warm soak?

A) Use distilled water for soaks.
B) Set the water to 45°C.
C) Stir the water to distribute heat evenly.
D) Soak the foot for 45 minutes per treatment.

Question 10

A client who has had rectal surgery has been prescribed a sitz bath. Which of the client's physiological functions is most at risk during a sitz bath and should be monitored by the nurse during the procedure?

A) Blood pressure
B) Heart rate
C) Sensation
D) Body temperature

Question 11

A nurse is to provide a warm compress for a client with infected eyes. Which interventions should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.

A) Use a sterile dressing for the compresses.
B) Use water between 26.6°C to 35°C (80°C to 95°F).
C) Use lukewarm water to moisten the compress.
D) Wear new gloves for each eye procedure.
E) Rinse the compress well before applying it to the second eye.

Question 12

A nurse is applying a warm moist compress to a client. What is an appropriate nursing intervention to retain the heat of the compress?

A) Cover the pack with a light material.
B) Apply an Aqua-K pad over the pack.
C) Tape the pack to the body with dry gauze.
D) Cover the pack with a moist material.

Question 13

A nurse is applying a cold compress to a client with a fracture. Which statement accurately describes the interventions implemented during the procedure?

A) Apply the compress so that it is moist, but not dripping.
B) Place the compress in a basin containing pieces of ice only.
C) Keep the compress on the site for 45 minutes.
D) Repeat the procedure every hour for quick relief.

Question 14

A nurse is applying a cold compress to a client with a fracture. How often should the nurse repeat this procedure?

A) 1 to 3 hours
B) 2 to 4 hours
C) 3 to 5 hours
D) 4 to 6 hours

Question 15

A nurse is using a hypothermia blanket for a client with a very high temperature. Which should the nurse keep in mind when caring for this client?

A) Stop treatment when temperature reaches normal.
B) Monitor blood pressure continuously.
C) Check the client's core temperature frequently.
D) Arrange for an aquathermia pad to be ready to use.

Question 16

What conditions are often treated with the application of cold? Select all that apply.

A) Headache
B) Sprain
C) Nosebleed
D) Concussion
E) Peripheral bleeding

Question 17

The nurse is monitoring an ice bag being used on a client's ankle. What color of the client's skin indicates immediate removal of the ice bag?

A) Mottled
B) Ashen
C) Jaundice
D) Greenish

Question 18

The nurse is monitoring an ice bag being used on a client's ankle. The treatment should be discontinued immediately when the client reports what type of pain?

A) Dull
B) Sharp
C) Burning
D) Stabbing

Question 19

Which assessment observation would require the nurse to clarify a prescription of a client's post-surgical sitz bath?

A) History of asthma
B) Presences of rectal hemorrhoids
C) Currently prescribed an antihypertensive medication
D) Perineal stitches

Question 20

The nurse applies an aquathermia pad to a client for pain relief. What is the most common use for an aquathermia pad?

A) Muscle sprains
B) Rectal surgery
C) Perineal surgery
D) Infant delivery

Question 21

What is the correct sequence of steps for disassembling the aquathermia pad after use?
1) Unplug the unit.
2) Empty the water out of the pump unit, the pad, and all tubes over a sink to prevent leakage.
3) Discard the pad.
4) Return only the heater/pump to the appropriate department.
5) Carefully wash hands.

A) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
B) 2, 4, 3, 5, 1
C) 3, 1, 2, 4, 5
D) 4, 2, 5, 3, 1

Question 22

The nurse is monitoring the vital signs of a client who is receiving a sitz bath. Which finding needs to be reported to the primary care provider immediately?

A) Respirations 20
B) Pulse 96
C) Blood pressure 88/50
D) Temperature 98.8°F