Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Dry heat maintains temperature changes longer than moist heat because it does not involve moisture, which can cause cooling of tissues.

Question 2

If a patient is prescribed to receive a cold application for a sprain,the nurse should ensure that

Accepted Answer

Proper alignment of the body part is important to ensure comfort and prevent further injury during the application of cold therapy.

Question 3

The patient is receiving cold therapy and complains to the nurse that the area being treated is numb.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

Numbness indicates that the cold therapy may have caused frostbite or tissue damage. Stopping the therapy can prevent further damage and allow the area to warm up and regain sensation.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Therapeutic interventions are designed to correct hypothermia and progressively raise body temperature by correcting acid-base imbalances,body temperature,and coagulopathies.Shearing forces,nerve conduction,and muscle spasms do not play a role in the correction of hypothermia and improved patient outcomes.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

Cryotherapy provides local anesthesia by numbing the area, which helps in reducing pain and inflammation.

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In addition to monitoring the controls on...

Question 7

When applying a hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket,the nurse should

Accepted Answer

The answer of When applying a hypothermia or hyperthermia blanket,the...

Question 8

When the skin is exposed to warm or hot temperatures,which of the following occurs? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation occurs, which dilates the blood vessels and brings blood closer to the surface of the skin, allowing heat to be lost through radiation, convection, and conduction. Perspiration also occurs, as sweat glands release sweat to the surface of the skin, which evaporates and cools the skin. Vasoconstriction and piloerection occur in response to cold temperatures.

Question 9

___________ exert(s)a profound physiological effect on the body,reducing inflammation caused by injury to the musculoskeletal system.

Accepted Answer

Cold applications reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels, which decreases blood flow to the injured area, thereby reducing swelling and pain.

Question 10

Which of the following conditions can be treated with cold therapy? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following conditions can be...

Question 11

For which patient should the nurse consider an application of cold?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should consider an application of cold for a fractured ankle in order to reduce inflammation and pain. Cold therapy can also help prevent further tissue damage. Cold therapy should not be used for menstrual cramping, as it may actually increase discomfort. It is not typically used for infected wounds or degenerative joint disease.

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy can cause decreased sensation in the affected extremity, making it difficult for the patient to detect excessive heat from a local heat application. This puts them at a higher risk for injury or burns from the heat. Arthritis, renal calculi, and pulmonary disease do not pose a specific risk for injury from local heat application.

Question 13

What procedure should the nurse follow when applying hot compresses to an open wound?

Accepted Answer

Pack gauze snugly against the wound.Be sure that all wound surfaces are covered by a warm compress.Packing of compresses prevents rapid cooling from underlying air currents.Sterile gloves are used to contact an open wound.Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours.Cover the moist compress with dry sterile dressing and a bath towel.Apply an aquathermia pad or a waterproof heating pad over the towel.

Question 14

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:

Accepted Answer

Covering the aquathermia pad with a towel or pillowcase is correct to prevent direct contact with the skin, which can cause burns.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Cold therapy should not be used in patients with circulatory insufficiency as it can further decrease blood flow to the area and worsen tissue damage. The other conditions listed can benefit from cold therapy, but caution should still be used in cases of chronic pain as prolonged exposure to cold can lead to increased sensitivity and discomfort.

Question 16

Assessment of a patient reveals that the area directly under the heating pad is slightly red.How should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The redness indicates potential skin damage or a burn, so the nurse should remove the pad and notify the healthcare provider to prevent further injury.

Question 17

The nurse removes an ice pack and notices that the area underneath the ice pack is blue.What action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The blue color under the ice pack could be a sign of tissue damage or lack of blood flow. It is important to discontinue the use of ice packs and assess the area for any further damage or discoloration.

Question 18

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?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should document the findings of the pink and warm skin to ensure that it is being monitored and tracked for any changes. Keeping the pad in place with a safety pin or putting it back on for an additional time could cause further skin damage or burns. Positioning the patient directly on the pad could also cause discomfort or injury.

Question 19

The use of cold (cryotherapy)to treat certain injuries is beneficial because of which of the following effects? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Cold therapy is known to provide relief of pain by numbing the affected area and reducing the generation of pain impulses. It also helps decrease muscle spasms by slowing down nerve conduction and reducing inflammation, which helps in decreasing edema. However, cold therapy is known to decrease nerve conduction rather than increasing it, so option C is not correct.

Question 20

If a patient on a hypothermia blanket starts to shiver,what action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Shivering increases metabolic rate and heat production, counteracting the effects of the hypothermia blanket. Increasing the temperature can help reduce shivering.

Quiz 41: Therapeutic Use of Heat and Cold